“I couldn’t turn down the challenge Ronaldo presented me,” the coach said
Portuguese football coach Jorge Jesus has signed a one-year contract to become the new head coach of Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, home to Portugal’s legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking to journalists in Lisbon before boarding a plane to Saudi Arabia, the coach said he could not pass up the opportunity to coach Ronaldo.
“Without his invitation, I wouldn’t be going. Ronaldo has won everything wherever he’s played – but not yet in Saudi Arabia. I’ll see if I can help him. We speak the same language, so things will be easier. I couldn’t say no to the challenge Cristiano gave me,” Jesus said.
The 70-year-old coach will be returning to Saudi Arabia where has coached Al Nassr’s biggest rival, Al Hilal, on two separate occasions: 2018/2019 and most recently 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.
“I love being in Saudi Arabia. It’s a country of the future -not just in football, but in many areas. It’s a pleasure to return. I’ve always been happy there. I’ve always won, and now I’ll try to do it again,” he said. Under his leadership, Al Hilal won one Saudi Arabian league title, one King’s Cup of Champions and three Super Cups. His list of achievements also includes one Brazilian league title with Flamengo, which he also led to victory in the Copa Libertadores in 2019. He also won three league titles with Benfica in Portugal, as well as several other titles, bringing his total tally to 23.
When asked about his switch to a rival club, he nonchalantly shut down any controversy.. “I was always treated well at Al Hilal. I have no complaints. But this is a coach’s life. Now I’m going to their rival. It’s like when I moved from Benfica to Sporting.”
Jesus also revealed one recent regret: turning down an offer from Brazil’s national team. “Last year, I made a mistake by not accepting the Brazil job. I didn’t go because I was fully committed to Al Hilal at the time.”
His new team will face their first real test soon. On July 19, they play against Al Ittihad for a place in the final of the Saudi Super Cup, a chance for Jorge Jesus to make an early mark in his new chapter alongside Ronaldo and the rest of the squad.
Meanwhile, another Portuguese coach has also found employment abroad. Carlos Queiroz, former Real Madrid coach and assistant coach under Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, as well as the Portuguese national team manager from 2008 to 2010, has been announced as the new coach of the Oman national team.
