Article by Daniel Grigore – Published Monday, 05 January 2026, 16:44 / Updated on Monday, 05 January 2026 16:45
Marius Șumudică (54 years old) was officially announced as the coach of the Al Okhdood team, ranked penultimate in Saudi Arabia.
After almost 8 months without commitment, Marius Șumudica chose to return to the circuit at Al Okhdood, in Saudi Arabia, where he also led Al Shabab and Al Raed.
“The Lion” Marius Șumudica, officially announced at Al Okhdood: “Welcome, Mister”
Şumudica's appointment was officially confirmed today. “Welcome, Mister,” the Saudi team wrote alongside a montage of images of Şumudica.
There are memorable scenes from the Romanian coach's career, in which he dances, sings or kisses the lawn. The Saudis liken him to a lion.
Şumudica's contract with Al Okhdood runs until the end of the current season and will be automatically extended if the Romanian fulfills his mission, to save his new team from relegation.
The Romanian takes over the new team from 17th place out of 18, with only 5 points accumulated in the first 12 stages. The safe places are not far away, with Al Shabab having 8 points, Damac being on pole 9.
The first match for Şumudica on the bench of the new team will take place on January 10, at home, in the company of Al Ahli, a team full of stars with hundreds of matches in the strong championships in Europe.
