Al Nassr Parts Ways with Coach Luis Castro After 14 Months
Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League club, has officially parted ways with its Portuguese head coach, Luis Castro. This decision came shortly after the team’s underwhelming start to the 2024-25 season and a 1-1 draw against Iraq’s Al Shorta in the AFC Champions League. Castro, who took charge in July 2023, had a challenging tenure, despite leading the club to victory in the Arab Club Champions Cup, a prestigious tournament featuring 37 teams from Asia and Africa. However, his inability to secure the Saudi Pro League title last season and a series of disappointing results eventually led to his departure.
The announcement of Castro’s exit came via a statement from Al Nassr on their X (formerly Twitter) account, where they thanked the coach and his staff for their contributions over the past 14 months. The reasons behind Castro’s departure were not explicitly disclosed, though it is evident that the team’s inconsistent performances played a significant role. Despite having Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s greatest players, on their roster, Al Nassr only finished second in the 2023-24 season, trailing behind league champions Al Hilal by a staggering 14 points. They also lost the Saudi Super Cup final to Al Hilal, which further added pressure on the coach.
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During his time at Al Nassr, Castro had a respectable track record with clubs like Shakhtar Donetsk, where he won the Ukrainian Premier League, as well as several Portuguese teams. However, his time in Saudi Arabia was marred by challenges, including the absence of Ronaldo in the recent AFC Champions League match due to a viral infection.
The club wasted no time in appointing Castro’s successor. Stefano Pioli, the former AC Milan coach, was announced as the new head coach of Al Nassr just a day after Castro's departure. Pioli, who led AC Milan to the Serie A title in the 2021-22 season, brings with him vast experience from managing top clubs in Italy. It remains to be seen how Pioli will reshape the team and whether he can steer Al Nassr back to domestic and international success.
Al Nassr currently sits seventh in the Saudi Pro League standings, with only one win from their first three matches this season. All eyes will now be on Pioli to see how he adapts to his new role and whether he can bring out the best in Ronaldo and the rest of the squad as they aim for a more successful campaign moving forward.
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