Al Nassr confirmed this Tuesday the hiring of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus as the new coach of the first team. The experienced 70-year-old strategist signed a one-year contract and will take on the challenge of leading the Saudi club to the top of regional and international football, amid a context where Cristiano Ronaldo remains a central figure in the project.

The decision was made following the departure of Italian Stefano Pioli, who left the bench after a season without any major titles. Although other names were on the table, such as fellow Portuguese Sergio Conceicao, the management opted for Jorge Jesus due to his extensive track record and previous experience in Saudi football.

"This is a firm step towards the future. We are delighted to announce Jorge Jesus as the new coach of Al Nassr," the club announced through its official channels.

A coach with a winning record

This will be the sixteenth experience as a professional coach for Jorge Jesus, who has led major teams such as Benfica, Sporting CP, Flamengo, and Fenerbahçe. His previous spell in Saudi Arabia was with Al Hilal, which gives him direct knowledge of the local environment and competitive level.

Despite his extensive career, he had never worked with Cristiano Ronaldo. This will be the first time the two have been together in the same dressing room, adding to the excitement surrounding the new era at Al Nassr. The Portuguese forward has reportedly supported his arrival as part of his demands to remain at the club until 2027.

According to Saudi media, Al Nassr's management is seeking to build a team capable of competing on equal terms with the continent's giants and closing the gap on Al Hilal, the current Saudi Pro League champions. The arrival of Jorge Jesus serves that purpose.