Committee head Hadi Khasaba said earlier in the day that a final decision would be made on Sunday.

However, Ahli announced hours later that Jose was officially installed as head coach after penning a one-and-a-half year deal.

Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Shafi 'Zizo' was appointed as Ahli boss on a temporary basis late in November, shortly after his predecessor Hossam Al-Badri stepped down.

Al-Badri, who used to be Jose's assistant, resigned after he was largely blamed for the team's substandard displays on all fronts over the past few months.

Portuguese Paulo Duarte and Frenchman Herve Renard initially topped the Red Devils' coach shortlist after Al-Badri's departure.

But eventually Jose became the shoo-in.

During Jose's previous tenures in the past decade, Ahli rejoiced in a blaze of glory and record-breaking triumphs domestically and continently.

The former Benfica manager left the six-time African champions by the end of the 2008-2009 season to take charge of Angola, before moving to Ittihad Jeddah.