{
  "id": 3244224,
  "title": "Brendan Rodgers on Al Qadsiah's Saudi Pro League ambitions: 'We're here to disrupt the top teams'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/brendan-rodgers-on-al-qadsiahs-saudi-pro-league-ambitions-were-here-3244224",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-25T10:41:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/08/25/brendan-rodgers-on-al-qadsiahs-saudi-pro-league-ambitions-were-here-to-disrupt-the-top-teams/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Al Qadsiah's manager, Brendan Rodgers, begins his first full season in the Saudi Pro League with the ambition to challenge the top teams. The Northern Irish coach, who moved to the kingdom in December, aims to build upon their impressive fourth-place finish last season. Rodgers joined the club after being let go by Celtic, and his appointment has been hailed as a \"landmark moment\" by Al Qadsiah chief executive James Bisgrove.\n\nUnder Rodgers' guidance, Al Qadsiah achieved a club-record 17-match unbeaten run last season, which culminated in their qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time. The manager has already instilled a strong work ethic and professionalism in the team, noting their \"outstanding\" mentality and willingness to improve.\n\nAl Qadsiah's squad has been bolstered with the addition of several high-profile players, including Moroccan defender Souffian El Karouani, Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, and Mexican striker Julian Quinones, who won the SPL Golden Boot last season. Notable signings from rivals include Moroccan left-back Souffian El Karouani and Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.\n\nDespite starting the new SPL campaign with two wins from three matches, Rodgers emphasizes that the team still has much work to do. He acknowledges the challenge posed by the top teams in the league, such as Al Nassr, Al Hilal, and Al Ahli Saudi, but firmly states that Al Qadsiah is determined to disrupt the established order. The manager is confident in his squad's ability to compete against the world's best and is impressed by the quality of both foreign and local talent in the Saudi Pro League.",
  "summary": "Al Qadsiah manager Brendan Rodgers begins his first full campaign in the Saudi Pro League, aiming to build on an impressive fourth-place finish last season. Rodgers moved to the kingdom in December to replace the sacked Michel, with the Northern Irish coach having been out of work since leaving Scottish club Celtic two months earlier. Al Qadsiah chief executive James Bisgrove described his…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Brendan Rodgers on Al Qadsiah's Saudi Pro League ambitions: 'We're here to disrupt the top teams'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/brendan-rodgers-on-al-qadsiahs-saudi-pro-league-ambitions-were-here",
        "published": "2026-08-25T10:41:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}