Al-Nassr nearing decision to dismiss former Milan coach Pioli

Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates victory with his coach Stefano Pioli after winning the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Riyadh and Al-Nassr at Prince Faisal Bin Fahad on November 8, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr are reportedly closing in on a decision to dismiss head coach Stefano Pioli following the team’s exit from the AFC Champions League earlier this week. 

Pioli was appointed head coach of Al-Nassr, whose squad list includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Jhon Duran and Marcelo Brozovic, at the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign, following his departure from Milan at the end of the 2023-24 season. 

The Italian is currently tied to a contract that runs until the summer of 2027 in a deal that will reportedly earn him around €12m per season, not including bonuses. 

Pioli on verge of Al-Nassr departure

However, with Al-Nassr currently sat in third place in the Saudi Pro League standings, with the team out of the AFC Champions League after a 3-2 semi-final loss against Kawasaki Frontale, and following reports of tension between the coach and Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the season, Pioli is now heading towards an early exit. 

Stefano Pioli, Head Coach of Al-Nassr and Salem Al Najdi celebrate following the AFC Champions League Elite match between Al-Nassr FC and Al Ain FC at Al-Awaal Park on November 05, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

Reports earlier in the season confirmed that there is a break clause in the coach’s contract, which means that he and Al-Nassr could terminate their agreement in June.

According to reports from Calciomercato.com, it is now unlikely that Pioli will still be head coach of Al-Nassr for the 2025-26 campaign. 

Which club could Pioli coach after Al-Nassr?

If Pioli does leave Al-Nassr in the summer, he could be poised to make an immediate return to Serie A. 

ROME, ITALY – APRIL 13: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on April 13, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

That is because several clubs are uncertain about their choice of head coach for next season, including Roma, who are still on the lookout for a Claudio Ranieri replacement, and Napoli, who could be in need of a new head coach if Antonio Conte decides to leave. 

Pioli had also been mentioned in reports linking him with the Juventus job prior to Igor Tudor’s appointment as interim. 

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