The 39-year-old forward Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly pushing for Al Nassr to appoint Zinedine Zidane, the coach with whom he enjoyed great success at Real Madrid.
According to the Spanish newspaper Marca, current Al Nassr coach Luis Castro is under significant pressure after the team’s loss to Al Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final. The club’s management is said to have lost confidence in Castro’s ability to “compete at the highest levels and achieve ambitious goals.”
Previously, Al Nassr prioritized hiring coaches with experience in Saudi Arabian football. However, the club has since shifted its focus to bringing in a world-class coach who has succeeded at the highest levels, making Zidane a strong candidate.
Ronaldo, who earns over $200 million and has considerable influence over the club’s sporting decisions, sees Zidane as the ideal choice. Zidane coached Ronaldo at Real Madrid from 2016 to 2018, where they achieved remarkable success, including three Champions League titles, one La Liga title, one Spanish Super Cup, two UEFA Super Cups, and two FIFA Club World Cups.
Fernando Hierro, Al Nassr’s sporting director, also plays a role in the selection process, but the final decision rests with the club’s president. Hierro, a former Real Madrid captain and Zidane’s teammate, adds another layer of connection to the potential reunion.
Al Nassr previously approached Zidane in April 2023, after parting ways with Rudi Garcia. Similarly, in October 2021, Manchester United also reached out to Zidane, following Ronaldo’s recommendation, but Zidane declined both offers.
Zidane has been without a club since his second stint at Real Madrid ended in 2021, during which he won another La Liga title. French media reported that Zidane was interested in replacing Didier Deschamps as France’s national team coach after the 2022 World Cup. However, the French Football Federation extended Deschamps’ contract until 2026. If Zidane remains without a club, he may have to wait at least two more years.
Other clubs, including PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester United, have also unsuccessfully attempted to hire Zidane. It is believed that Zidane only chooses jobs based on his personal preferences, rather than financial incentives, prioritizing positions with teams where he has played, such as the French national team, Real Madrid, or Juventus. As a player, Zidane won two Serie A titles with Juventus, the Champions League and La Liga with Real Madrid, and the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France.
