KSAsportz Report
ALQASSIM — In a strategic move set to reshape their future, Al Kholood has announced the appointment of English manager Des Buckingham ahead of the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League (RSL) season. This decision comes as the club seeks to build on their impressive debut, in which they finished an admirable ninth, a feat achieved by only 38% of newly promoted teams in the league’s history.
Buckingham, 40, arrives with extensive international coaching experience. His career began in New Zealand with Wellington Phoenix, transitioning to leading the U-20 and U-23 national teams. His accolades include significant stints at Melbourne City in Australia and a successful tenure with Mumbai City in India, where he not only clinched the Indian Super League title but also established a dynamic attacking playstyle.
Most recently, in 2023, Buckingham returned to England to manage Oxford United, the club where he began his coaching career. Under his leadership, the team achieved promotion to the Championship, England’s second division, showcasing his ability to elevate club performance.
Now at the helm of Al Kholood—operating under new ownership—Buckingham is poised to leverage his experience to enhance the club’s competitive edge in the RSL, which has seen a notable increase in viewer engagement, with a 25% rise in attendance last season. His first test will come on August 28, 2025, when Al Kholood opens their campaign against Al Ettifaq, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying season ahead.