Al Kholood appoint Des Buckingham as manager

The new era at Al Kholood feels like it’s really taking shape with the club announcing Des Buckingham as their new manager ahead of the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League season.

The Ar Rass side, aiming to improve upon last term’s superb ninth-placed finish on their top-flight debut, announced the Englishman’s appointment on Thursday.

Buckingham, 40, began his senior professional coaching career in New Zealand, first with Wellington Phoenix before taking charge of the country’s Under-20 and U-23 national teams.

He later spent a brief spell at Melbourne City in Australia and then a hugely successful two years at Mumbai City in India, where he won the Indian Super League. A former goalkeeper, he moved back to England in 2023 with Oxford United – the club with whom he began his youth coaching career.

At the end of his first season, Buckingham guided Oxford to promotion to the Championship, England’s second tier.

At Al Kholood, who are under new owners, Buckingham is charged with guiding the team to another fine showing in the Saudi top flight. His first competitive match in the dugout falls on August 28 - the opening day of the 2025-26 campaign - when his side travel to Al Ettifaq.