Al Khaleej appoint Gomes as new boss | OneFootball

Roshn Saudi League side Al Khaleej have announced the appointment of Jose Gomes as their new manager ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Gomes, 55, has signed a two-year deal with the Saihat-based club, replacing Gustavo Poyet, whose short-term contract with the club ended by the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign.

Al Khaleej finished in 12th place but saw their coach Georgios Donis depart in April to take over the Saudi national team job ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. In seven matches played under Poyet, they won two and lost five, prompting them to decide against extending the Uruguayan’s deal.

Meanwhile, Gomes had ended the 2025-26 campaign in 11th with Al Fateh having joined them midway through the previous season with the side from Al Ahsa sitting bottom of the table.

He went on to lift them from the threat of relegation into a 10th-placed finish with a memorable run of eight wins in their last 12 matches.

The Portuguese tactician is a veteran of the RSL having first arrived in Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2014 as Al Taawoun manager, and going on to enjoy spells at Al Ahli and Al Fateh as well as two more stints with Al Taawoun. In 2016, he led Al Ahli to the Saudi Super Cup title.

Gomes’ record of 162 RSL games managed places his fourth in the competition’s all-time managers’ list, with a record of 56 wins, 44 draws and 62 defeats.