Al-Nassr bosses pick side after Ronaldo held secret talks behind manager's back

11 April 2023 , 19:36

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Rudi Garcia has been dismissed by Al-Nassr, according to Saudi Arabian reports (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Al-Nassr have parted company with boss Rudi Garcia after Cristiano Ronaldo let the club know of his dissatisfaction with the manager’s approach, it has been claimed.

Ronaldo completed a stunning move to the Saudi Arabian club in January and will earn in the region of £173million per year. That is – by a distance – the highest wage in football, which includes image rights and commercial commitments, with significant influence likely as a result.

The Portuguese superstar has netted 11 league goals in just 10 games for his new club but Al-Nassr have seen their lead at the top of the Saudi Arabian top division slip away in recent weeks. They currently languish three points off league leaders Al-Ittihad.

On Sunday, Ronaldo and his teammates failed to break down a stubborn Al-Feiha outfit, who stood firm and survived seven minutes of additional time to pinch a point from the Saudi Pro League high-fliers.

Ronaldo was visibly agitated at the final whistle - and he was not shy in letting some of his opponents know about it as he left the field. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was captured sharing words with Al-Feiha's Ali Al-Zaqaan, telling him: "You don't want to play," as he alleged timewasting.

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That match saw the Portuguese forward storm off down the tunnel at full-time without hanging around to shake hands with opposition players, in a similar vein to his strop which saw him depart the World Cup after his nation’s quarter final loss to Morocco.

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Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in a post-match spat at the weekend (Sky Sports)

A report in Diario AS now builds on reports from Saudi Arabia that Ronaldo has become frustrated with the performance and approach from boss Garcia, letting it be known to the club that he was less than happy with how things had gone in recent weeks. It adds to the reports from across the nation that Al-Nassr have now parted ways with the coach.

The draws against unfancied sides Al-Feiha and Al-Fateh, alongside the defeat against league leaders Al-Ittihad, have piled the pressure on Garcia. The arrival of Ronaldo had seen expectations at the Riyadh club skyrocket but they have yet to live up to them.

Garcia was appointed Al-Nassr boss last year (Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Earlier this year, Garcia did not shy away from criticising his new talisman after Ronaldo missed a gilt-edged chance during the game. "One of the things that changed the course of the match was Cristiano's missed opportunity in the first half," the boss assessed after the game.

Garcia has an impressive managerial CV having previously coached Lille, Roma, Marseille and Lyon, before being appointed as Al-Nassr boss in June last year – seven months prior to Ronaldo’s arrival.

Colin Millar