With the Saudi Pro League offseason now underway, one might assume Al-Kholood owner Ben Harburg would take a well-deserved break after a grueling 12 months. However, the American businessman has no intention of slowing down. Instead, he is accelerating efforts to transform the club from the small city of Ar Rass into a model of modern football management.
No Rest for the Driven
Speaking exclusively to Arab News, Harburg dismissed any notion of complacency. 'No, I feel energized,' he said. 'I wish the season wasn’t ending. It was emotionally a roller coaster on the pitch, but off the pitch, everything has been going phenomenally well. The spotlight is increasing, and the interest in the club is growing.'
Harburg, who made history as the first foreign owner of a Saudi Pro League club, emphasized that the offseason will be busier than ever. 'We’re putting our foot on the gas now. We’ll keep producing content all summer, engage with the World Cup, collaborate with the Saudi national team, and invest heavily in infrastructure, human capital, and coaching staff. This isn’t work—I love it.'
A Season of Milestones
Reflecting on the season, Harburg acknowledged the highs and lows. The club avoided relegation and made a historic run to the King’s Cup final, putting Al-Kholood on the global map. However, he remains critical. 'I give it a passing grade. The objective was to avoid relegation—mission accomplished. The King’s Cup run masks some shortcomings. I’m always looking at flaws and what needs fixing.'
This relentless pursuit of excellence has defined Harburg’s business career and now drives his football project. He believes complacency is the enemy of progress, especially in sport.
Offseason Overhaul Planned
Harburg outlined sweeping changes for the offseason. 'We’re working on every layer of the stack. The team will turn over significantly—four or five foreign players will be replaced, and many Saudi players’ contracts are expiring. The coaching staff needs specialized roles in fitness, recovery, nutrition, and set pieces. A new training center will be announced soon.'
He added that the back office will expand from a skeleton crew to a robust human capital program. 'We tested where the pain points were. Now we know where to overinvest.'
Recruitment Revolution
Initially, convincing players to join a startup project was challenging. But after the King’s Cup success and a growing social media presence, Harburg’s phone is now ringing. 'Saudi and global players want to play for us. Our infrastructure announcement will put us in the top three facilities in the league, boosting recruitment.'
Harburg emphasized that Al-Kholood cannot outspend rivals. 'Seven or eight clubs will have budgets I can never match. Our edge is a different vibe—aesthetically, culturally, and fan-wise. That’s how we’ll compete.'
As the offseason begins, Harburg shows no signs of easing up. With a clear vision and boundless energy, Al-Kholood’s transformation is only just beginning.
