Al Riyadh appoint Spaniard Javier Calleja

Al Riyadh have installed Spanish manager Javier Calleja to lead the club through next season’s Roshn Saudi League campaign.

The former Villarreal, Alaves, Levante and Real Oviedo head coach was confirmed as the capital club’s latest appointment on Saturday, replacing in the dugout Saudi Arabian Bandar Al Kubaishan.

Despite season of shift, Al Riyadh take aim at top-eight finish

Capital club were once as high as 4th

Calleja, 47, rose to prominence in his first senior-team managerial role, when he guided Villarreal to fifth in La Liga in 2018. He did likewise during his season stint at the club, in 2020. A midfielder during his playing days, Calleja had represented Villarreal for six seasons.

He most recently managed Real Oviedo in Spain’s second tier, but left the club in March before they went on to secure promotion to La Liga for the first time in 24 years.

At Al Riyadh, Calleja takes charge of a side that finished 11th in last season’s RSL.