Ange Postecoglou will manage Cristiano Ronaldo after being appointed head coach of Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr on a two-year contract.
The 60-year-old Australian described it as “a new chapter” in a club statement announcing his arrival in Riyadh. “Mr Ange Postecoglou appointed as head coach of the Al-Nassr first team,” the club said. “The contract spans two seasons. We wish him and his staff every success in their journey.”
“Ange Postecoglou appointed Al-Nassr head coach, will manage Cristiano Ronaldo after two bruising Premier League stints.”
Postecoglou takes over a side captained by Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who helped Al-Nassr win the Saudi Pro League title for the first time in May on the final day of the season under Jorge Jesus. The veteran Portuguese coach, 71, left the club at the end of the campaign.
The appointment marks an attempt by Postecoglou to revive his career after two bruising stints in the Premier League. He was sacked by Tottenham in 2025 just two weeks after guiding them to Europa League glory, having finished 17th in the league. A move to Nottingham Forest followed but lasted only 39 days: he was dismissed last October after going winless in his opening eight games in charge, which included six defeats.
Before his Premier League struggles, Postecoglou enjoyed success at Celtic, winning back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles. He has also won league titles with Brisbane Roar in Australia and Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan. During the World Cup, he worked as a pundit for ITV.
The Greece-born coach had been linked with the Scotland job after Steve Clarke stepped down following their World Cup exit, as well as with Kazakhstan, but media reports said his wage demands were too high for the central Asian side.
Now he faces the challenge of managing one of the world’s most famous players, Ronaldo, in a league where Al-Nassr will defend their title under a manager desperate to rebuild his reputation.