Saudi football has once again turned heads by appointing a high-profile Italian manager. Crickex Affiliate confirms that Al Nassr, the club where global icon Cristiano Ronaldo plays, has sacked Portuguese coach Luís Castro and brought in former AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli. This marks the fourth coaching change since Ronaldo joined the club, following stints under Rudi Garcia, interim coach Dinko Jeličić, and Castro. Now, Pioli steps in as the newest figure to lead the team—and to work directly alongside the Portuguese superstar.

Al Nassr had already been considering a coaching change after Castro failed to deliver results last season in the Saudi Super Cup, King’s Cup, Saudi Pro League, and AFC Champions League. Poor preseason performances in Portugal and Spain, where Al Nassr suffered four straight losses to European opponents, raised additional red flags. But what ultimately sealed Castro’s fate was a heavy defeat to rivals Al Hilal in the Super Cup final—his third cup final loss to the same club in just six months. Even Ronaldo’s reported attempt to save his compatriot’s job couldn’t stop the board from seeking new leadership.

According to Crickex Affiliate, Ronaldo had initially recommended bringing in Zinedine Zidane—his former Real Madrid manager who led him to multiple Champions League titles—but the proposal was declined. Still, the club maintained strong respect for Ronaldo’s opinion, reportedly requiring his approval before finalizing Pioli’s appointment. The club’s leadership believes Pioli’s Serie A-winning experience and familiarity with both Ronaldo and midfielder Marcelo Brozović could reignite Al Nassr’s title hopes.

Following a disappointing 2–2 draw in their AFC Champions League opener against Iraq’s Al-Shorta, Castro remained defiant, stating he had never been dismissed from a job before. But by Tuesday, Al Nassr’s board had held an emergency meeting and officially ended his tenure. At the same time, Pioli’s representatives met with AC Milan to negotiate an early termination of his existing contract. Though Milan dismissed him this summer, they were still obligated to pay his €4 million annual salary—unless he secured a new coaching role, which he now has.

Crickex Affiliate reports that Pioli had already been linked to a move to Saudi Arabia during the summer. Al Ittihad was previously rumored to be interested, but star player Karim Benzema reportedly opposed the idea, leading the club to hire fellow Frenchman Laurent Blanc instead. Pioli was also approached by Roma after Daniele De Rossi’s dismissal, but the timing didn’t work in their favor.

Al Nassr offered Pioli a lucrative deal worth €10 million per year plus performance bonuses—far more than what he earned in Italy. He becomes the third Italian coach in the club’s history, following Walter Zenga and Fabio Cannavaro. Notably, neither of his predecessors lasted a full season—Zenga stayed only seven months, while Cannavaro left after just over three. Whether Pioli will break that pattern remains to be seen.

It’s worth noting that Pioli wasn’t Ronaldo’s top choice. Whether he can complete his two-year contract depends on his ability to handle the pressure and expectations that come with managing a star-studded squad. As the saying goes, life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about learning to dance in the rain. With Pioli’s arrival, Saudi Arabia adds another world-class name to its managerial ranks. Crickex Affiliate believes the league’s next phase is clear: after attracting global superstars on the field, the strategy now is to recruit elite managers to boost international visibility and elevate the Saudi Pro League’s global status.