A source close to Al-Nassr's coach, the Portuguese Jorge Jesus, revealed to Okaz newspaper the outlines of the coach's future with "Al-Aalami" (the global team), in light of the tense atmosphere surrounding the team recently, coinciding with the continued absence of the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo from participating in matches, and the increasing talk of an internal crisis that may disrupt the stability of the team competing for the league title.
The context of the competition and developments in the Saudi League
These developments come at a time when Saudi football is experiencing unprecedented global momentum, with its clubs becoming a destination for some of the world's top stars. This qualitative leap places immense pressure on coaches and management to win titles, especially given the fierce rivalry between Riyadh's two giants, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. Resignation or dismissal at such a crucial point in the season is considered a turning point that could negatively or positively impact the team's performance, making Jesus's future a hot topic in the sports world.
Reasons for Ronaldo's anger and the press conference crisis
According to the source, Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from Al-Nassr's last two league matches was not a mere coincidence, but rather came amidst press reports indicating the "Madeira Rocket's" deep anger. This discontent stems from the strong moves made by rivals in the transfer market, specifically the transfer of French striker Karim Benzema to Al-Hilal. In contrast, Al-Nassr has not significantly strengthened its squad with comparable signings during the winter transfer window, a fact Ronaldo believes is impacting the team's chances of competing for the title. This tension was reflected in coach Jorge Jesus's boycott of the press conferences for the last two matches, further fueling speculation.
The truth about Jesus' departure and contract details
Regarding the future of the coaching staff, the source confirmed to Okaz that Jesus has not officially raised the idea of leaving yet, suggesting that the Portuguese coach will complete the season with Al-Nassr. The source pointed to a sudden shift in the coach's mood, saying, "Until the end of December, Jesus was happy, proud, and satisfied with what Al-Nassr was achieving, but with the arrival of January, everything began to change for no apparent reason." The source added, clarifying the contractual situation, "There are currently no negotiations between Al-Nassr's management and the Portuguese coach regarding renewing his contract, which officially expires on June 30th.".
The impact of the crisis on the race for the top spot
This crisis gains significance from the highly competitive league standings, where Al-Nassr currently sits in second place with 49 points. They trail league leaders Al-Hilal by a mere point. Observers believe that any technical or administrative upheaval at this critical juncture could cost the team the title, making maintaining stability and managing the players' discontent a top priority for Al-Nassr's management in the coming days.
