 "Cristiano Ronaldo apparently wants coach Stefano Pioli out of Al Nassr. Image: Reuters")
Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr could be forced to make wholesale changes if they want to hold onto Cristiano Ronaldo, it has been revealed. Ronaldo, 40, is reportedly unhappy with the lack of trophies at Al Nassr and has demanded multiple changes, including removing the coach Stefano Pioli, the sporting director Fernando Hierro and almost half of the squad.
Since moving to Al Nassr in January 2023 from Manchester United, Ronaldo has won only one trophy – the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup. This season, Al Nassr lost in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite and they are third in the Saudi Pro League, well behind league leaders Al Ittihad.
Ronaldo wants wholesale changes at Al Nassr
Ronaldo is reportedly unhappy with the lack of progress at Al Nassr and wants multiple changes in the coaching setup and the squad if he has to continue at the club. His contract with the Saudi Arabian club ends at the end of the ongoing season, and while there are reports that he may stay at the club till 2026, the extension will depend on whether his demands are accepted, reported media outlet Okaz Sports.
As per the report, Ronaldo is not happy with Pioli’s tactical approach as the Italian coach has failed to win a trophy so far at Al Nassr since joining them in September 2024.
Besides removing Pioli, Ronaldo also wants sporting director Hierro to leave and for him to be replaced by someone who has full control over transfer decisions.
Besides the coaching staff, Ronaldo wants a lot of players to leave the club, including goalkeeper Bento, defender Aymeric Laporte, midfielder Angelo Gabriel and striker Wesley. The Portuguese superstar wants Al Nassr to hold onto center-back Mohamed Simakan, midfielders Otavio, Marcelo Brozovic and forwards Sadio Mane and Jhon Duran.
Only time will tell what changes Al Nassr will make to their setup, but it increasingly looks like Ronaldo is not happy with the current scenario at the club.
Is it financially possible for Al Nassr to make these changes? The Okaz Sports states that the club has an estimated annual revenue of around $213 million, which makes them capable of making wholesale changes.