Ronaldo’s Saudi club Al Nassr without a coach as Pioli leaves

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club, Al Nassr, is without a head coach after Stefano Pioli departed on Wednesday. The Italian is expected to return home and take charge of Fiorentina.

Al Nassr, which is owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, now finds itself without a manager just days before Ronaldo’s contract expires on Monday. The 40-year-old forward has been with the club for 2½ years.

In a statement posted on social media, the club announced: “Pioli and his staff are no longer the acting coaching staff of the first team.”

Pioli previously coached Fiorentina for two seasons until 2019 and went on to win a Serie A title during his five-year tenure at AC Milan. After being let go by Milan following the 2023–24 season, he joined Al Nassr, replacing Luís Castro, who was dismissed earlier in the year.

Al Nassr is aiming for its first domestic league title since 2019 and has parted ways with three full-time coaches since Ronaldo’s arrival.

The team has qualified for next season’s AFC Champions League after finishing third in the Saudi Pro League. That position was confirmed following a successful legal appeal that saw the club awarded a win in a match against a team found to have fielded an ineligible player.

Ronaldo recently helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League title, delivering standout performances throughout the tournament.