Al-Nassr has parted ways with manager Luis Castro following a lackluster start to the Saudi Pro League season. The Riyadh-based club announced Castro’s dismissal on Tuesday, concluding his 14-month tenure with the team.
This managerial change marks the fourth since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December 2022. Despite Ronaldo’s impressive performance last season, where he netted 35 goals to become the league’s top scorer, the team has struggled to achieve consistent results under Castro’s leadership. Currently, Al-Nassr is positioned seventh in the league table, having won only one of their first three matches this season.
In their official statement, Al-Nassr expressed gratitude for Castro’s contributions: “Al Nassr can announce that Head Coach Luis Castro has left the Club. Everyone at Al Nassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future.”
Stefano Pioli, the former AC Milan manager, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Castro. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that negotiations with Pioli are in advanced stages. Pioli, who led AC Milan to the Serie A title in the 2021-22 season, is renowned for his tactical acumen and structured 4-2-3-1 system, which balances width and midfield control.
Pioli’s potential appointment could align well with Ronaldo’s playing style and enhance the overall cohesion of Al-Nassr’s squad, positioning the team to better compete for both domestic and continental titles. Pioli’s track record and recent success with Milan make him a highly appealing choice for Al-Nassr as they aim to turn around their season.
During Castro’s tenure, Al-Nassr saw mixed results, achieving an average of 2.17 points per game over 54 matches. However, despite this solid average, Castro was unable to secure major trophies for the club.