ar- العربية Al Nassr Football Club has swiftly moved to appoint Stefano Pioli as their new head coach, just one day after parting ways with Portuguese coach Luis Castro. The announcement on Wednesday confirms that the former AC Milan boss will now lead the Saudi Pro League team, taking charge of the squad which features star player Cristiano Ronaldo.
Pioli, 58, brings a wealth of experience to Al Nassr, having most notably guided AC Milan to a Serie A title in 2022. Under his leadership, Milan also reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League in 2023, before his departure from the Italian club in May. His track record of success in Europe makes him a highly anticipated figure in Riyadh, as the club seeks to reassert its dominance in both domestic and international competitions.
Luis Castro, who had been at the helm for 14 months, was dismissed after a 1-1 draw against Iraqi side Al Shorta in the AFC Champions League Elite stage. While Castro had led Al Nassr to victory in the Arab Club Champions Cup, his recent results in the Saudi Pro League, coupled with their Super Cup defeat to Al Hilal, contributed to the decision to part ways.
In his farewell message, Castro took to Instagram to thank his supporters and the team, expressing his wishes for their future success. “Now that I have stopped my duties as coach of the Al-Nassr team, I would like to thank everyone who supported me and worked every day beside me. I wish them good luck and success,” Castro wrote.
Al Nassr’s official statement, posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressed appreciation for Castro’s efforts, but the club quickly shifted focus to Pioli as his replacement. Pioli’s arrival signals a new direction for the team, which currently sits seventh in the league with only one win from their opening three matches of the season.
The pressure is now on Pioli to immediately turn around the team’s fortunes, as Al Nassr continues to chase their ambition of dethroning league champions Al Hilal. With a strong squad led by Ronaldo, the club has high expectations for silverware this season, and Pioli’s pedigree in managing top-tier teams will be crucial in meeting those goals.
Al Nassr returns to action this Friday against Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League, and all eyes will be on whether Pioli can make an instant impact in his first match in charge. The club’s ambitions stretch beyond domestic success, with the AFC Champions League campaign underway, making this a pivotal moment for both Pioli and Al Nassr.
Stefano Pioli’s appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Riyadh-based club, one that promises excitement and a renewed push for trophies under his experienced leadership.