jordan pulse -

By Saleh Al-Rashed
​A "zero-title" season for Al-Wehdat, while Al-Faisaly secured the Shield title and Al-Hussein claimed three titles, wrapped up a thrilling competition in the domestic League and Cup. Both major titles were decided by slim margins, individual capabilities, and critical refereeing errors. The League came down to a late-stage match between Al-Hussein and Al-Faisaly, where a single goal secured Al-Hussein's victory. In the Cup, Al-Faisaly exited on penalties against Ramtha, while Al-Hussein edged past Al-Wehdat amid several refereeing controversies. Despite failing to win either major title, Al-Wehdat and Al-Faisaly put up strong performances late in the season, exposing delayed management responses regarding underperforming coaching appointments.
​Al-Wehdat's failure to capture silverware, finishing third in the League and the Shield, losing the Super Cup, and exiting the Cup in the semi-finals, cannot be blamed on management alone. It is the result of accumulated mistakes, starting with letting key players go and replacing them with less capable local and foreign talent. This revamped squad required significant time to build chemistry. Additionally, the club struggled to utilize its youth categories effectively, halting its historical trend of producing homegrown stars.
​The team’s decline became particularly evident against defensively organized opponents, where Al-Wehdat lacked the structural baseline and attacking edge to break down low blocks, dropping points to lower-ranked teams. Conversely, they performed better in open-play matches against rivals like Al-Hussein and Al-Faisaly. Management's decision to hire three different managers from distinct tactical backgrounds disrupted tactical continuity. The season began with Tunisian coach Kais Yaâkoubi, whose contract was terminated after an opening-match loss to Ramtha. He was replaced by Bosnian coach Darko Nestorović, who departed after five matches following a loss to Bahrain's Al-Muharraq in the AFC Champions League group stage. Finally, local coach Jamal Mahmoud took over with the team in fifth place, managing to stabilize and improve performances until the end of the season.
​The lack of a structured, long-term footballing project resulted in unsystematic signings that failed to address core squad needs. This rendered the competitive gap between Al-Wehdat and Al-Hussein quite wide, leaving individual efforts insufficient to offset structural deficiencies. The club also suffered from a decline in match attendance due to administrative disputes, divided fan factions, regional political developments, and stadium restrictions during regional security escalations, alongside intense pressure stemming from social media campaigns.
​Following the trophyless season, numerous social media campaigns have demanded the resignation of the board of directors. While driven by passion for the club, progress is rarely achieved through complete exclusion, but rather through collaborative support, financial backing, and the formation of an advisory committee to introduce progressive technical and administrative frameworks.
​Final Word:
​Al-Wehdat's general assembly and supporters must unite behind the club regardless of administrative personnel, as managements change while the institution remains. Overcoming financial hurdles and rebuilding a competitive squad requires constructive financial and moral support, rather than engaging in continuous internal friction and personalized disputes.