Al Nassr Sacks Luis Castro, Eyes Major Coaching Name for Ronaldo Reboot
In a bizarre turn of events, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian employers, Al Nassr, have canned coach Luis Castro just six months into their partnership. The 63-year-old Portuguese tactician was shown the door amid a disappointing start to the new Saudi Pro League campaign, which has seen just one win in three outings.
Despite having a treasure trove of talent, including Sadio Mané and Aymeric Laporte, Al Nassr ended last season 14 points adrift of Riyadh arch-rivals Al Hilal. The writing was clearly on the wall for Castro, whose underwhelming tactical acumen was exposed with a failure to win silverware and regular knockout encounters with their title-winning predecessors.
Now, the Spanish giants are hot on the heels of former AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli, who managed the rossoneri to Scudetto glory in the 2021-2022 campaign. Pioli’s departure from Milan after a mediocre season has prompted whispers that he’s circling a lucrative Saudi takeover. Will Al Nassr’s massive coffers – and Ronaldo’s presence, of course – be the clincher to lure a coach with major European trophies to his name?
Make no mistake, this coup is as much about cementing Al Nassr as a legitimate contender in Riyadh’s storied football sphere as it is about accommodating Ronaldo’s lofty ambitions in the latter stages of his illustrious career. Cast your minds back to Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League debacle last season when they limped out after a thrashing at Al Hilal’s hands…
The people want transparency!
For more exciting updates, follow us on all social media platforms!