Portuguese coach Luis Castro has left Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr after failing to secure the league title during his first year in charge. The club announced his departure a day after a disappointing draw in the AFC Champions League Elite campaign. Castro led Al Nassr to victory in the Arab Club Champions Cup last year but could not clinch the league title, finishing second behind Al Hilal. The team currently sits in seventh place in the standings with only one league win so far this season.
The departure of Castro comes after a draw with Al Shorta in which star forward Cristiano Ronaldo did not play due to a viral infection. Ronaldo, who has yet to win a major trophy with the club, joined Al Nassr under Castro’s leadership. Castro previously coached teams such as Shakhtar Donetsk and Portuguese sides like Porto and Rio Ave. Al Nassr is now looking for a new head coach, with Stefano Pioli, who won the Italian championship with AC Milan in 2022, reportedly on their list of preferred replacements.
The club thanked Castro and his staff for their work over the past 14 months and wished them luck in the future. Castro’s departure marks another change in leadership for Al Nassr, following the exit of coach Rudi Garcia in 2023. The team will be looking to regroup under new leadership as they aim for success in the ongoing season.
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