Al-Nassr reject advice from Cristiano Ronaldo to hire UCL winner and decide to sign former Serie A boss: Reports
Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr have rejected Cristiano Ronaldo's advice to appoint Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane as their new head coach. As per a report by The Sun (via Daily Mail), the Knights of Najd are set to appoint former AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli as Luis Castro's appointment.
Cristiano Ronaldo and company are on the hunt for a new manager after the club's hierarchy sacked Luis Castro on Tuesday, September 17 - just 14 months into his tenure. This came after Al-Nassr were held to a 1-1 draw by Al-Shorta in the AFC Champions League the day before.
Ronaldo reportedly advised upper management to replace Castro with Zidane, as he believed the latter could guide the club to silverware. However, Al-Nassr are now on the verge of appointing Stefano Pioli.
Zidane is currently without a club after last managing Real Madrid in May 2021. The Frenchman found great success with Cristiano Ronaldo in his first reign as manager between 2016 and 2018, winning nine trophies, including three consecutive UEFA Champions League trophies. Moreover, he won 105 out of his 149 games in charge with a win percentage of 70.47 and could have been a real game-changer for Al-Nassr this season.
Zidane returned to manage Los Blancos nearly a year later in March 2019. He won another LaLiga title for Madrid, winning 69 games out of 114 in charge, with a win percentage of 60.53.
Former AC Milan boss traveling to Riyadh; set to replace Luis Castro as Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr's new manager: Fabrizio Romano
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Stefano Pioli is currently traveling to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to sign in as Al-Nassr's new manager. Pioli will also reportedly sign the termination of his contract with AC Milan today, and will aim to guide Cristiano Ronaldo and company to glory this season.
Romano posted on X:
"Stefano Pioli becomes new Al Nassr head coach, deal done. Pioli will sign the termination of the contract at AC Milan today and then private flight to Riyadh with his agents. Deal done. He’s the new manager to replace Castro. Here we go."
He then later tweeted:
"Stefano Pioli, travelling to Riyadh right now to sign in as new Al Nassr head coach. Deal done, confirmed."
Pioli managed AC Milan between 2019 and 2024, helping the Serie A outfit win the title during the 2021-22 campaign. Out of his 240 games in charge, he won 130, drew 58, and lost 52, with a win percentage of 54.17. Unfortunately, he was sacked at the end of last season and was replaced by Paulo Fonseca.