Cristiano Ronaldo only had three words for Stefano Pioli after Al Nassr announce the coach’s exit

Cristiano Ronaldo emerged as a standout performer for Al Nassr last season, netting an impressive 35 goals across 41 appearances. However, despite his remarkable efforts, the team fell short of securing a major title. Al Nassr finished fourth in the Saudi Pro League standings and saw their AFC Champions League campaign end in the semifinals.

Amidst these outcomes, speculation was rife regarding the future of head coach Stefano Pioli. Confirming these rumors, Al Nassr announced Pioli’s departure via their official social media channels on Wednesday. The club expressed gratitude for his contributions, stating, “Al Nassr Club Company informs that Mr. Pioli and his staff are no longer the coaching team for the first team. We would like to thank Mr. Pioli and his staff for their dedicated work during the past season,” the message on X read.

The Al Nassr fan base, dissatisfied with the previous season’s performance, eagerly anticipates news of Pioli’s replacement. Meanwhile, their arch-rivals, Al Hilal, have already made headlines by appointing Simone Inzaghi, who is showcasing his prowess as the team earned a draw against Real Madrid in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup group stage.

Following Pioli’s departure, Ronaldo took to his X account to bid farewell to his former coach. In a succinct yet heartfelt message, he wrote, “Grazie per tutto!” in tribute to the Italian head coach, as it says in English: “Thanks for everything!” As Al Nassr prepares for the upcoming season, Ronaldo and fans alike are keen to learn who will take the helm and lead the team forward.

Potential replacements for Pioli at Al Nassr

As reports surface about Ronaldo’s future with Al Nassr, speculation intensifies over who might step into the head coaching role should Stefano Pioli depart. Leading the list of potential replacements are three prominent figures in the soccer world, including a familiar face in Saudi Arabia: Jorge Jesus, former head coach of Al Hilal.

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Jorge Jesus is reportedly a strong candidate, but emerging as the primary contender is Sergio Conceicao. With a proven track record at clubs like Milan and Porto, the Portuguese tactician is reportedly one of the top priorities according to sources from Saudi Arabia.

The third candidate in the mix is Luciano Spalletti. Known for his previous tenure at Milan, Spalletti’s tactical acumen and style of play make him a compelling option for a squad that could potentially be built around Ronaldo next season.

Assessing Pioli’s tenure with Al Nassr

While Pioli’s stint at Al Nassr was not without its achievements, his tenure is marked by the absence of major silverware, despite having high-profile players like Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, and John Jader Duran at his disposal. Nevertheless, Pioli’s efforts are evident in the numbers.

Here are Pioli’s performance statistics with Al Nassr:

• Matches: 44
• Wins: 28
• Ties: 7
• Losses: 9
• Points: 91
• Points per match: 2.07