Al-Nassr coach Rudi Garcia has been sacked by the club authorities after reports claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo was unhappy under the manager. The Portuguese signed for the Saudi Pro League side at the end of 2022. He signed a bumper contract worth over $200 million a year. However, when he signed, Al-Nassr led the league table, and three months from then, they are second, three points behind the leaders.
When Ronaldo signed the contract that saw him earn a huge sum of money, it was speculated what other privileges he will have at the club. His contract, which included image rights and commercial commitments, was expected to give him significant influence at the club as well.
🚨 Rudi Garcia has been SACKED as head coach of Al Nassr! ❌🇸🇦
Sporting results and his bad relationship with the dressing room is the main reason for his dismissal.
✍️ @marca pic.twitter.com/c9V3KvfrN3
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) April 12, 2023
A report from Diario AS claims that Ronaldo had meetings with the club authorities behind the back of Garcia. It was claimed that Ronaldo was not happy with the coach’s vision and wanted a change.
Garcia, who earned €5.6 million ($6.13 million) a year, has been sacked by Al-Nassr. However, this is not the first time he has been sacked. In January 2016, he was sacked by Serie A side AS Roma. He went on to manage Ligue 1 sides Marseille and Lyon afterward. In July 2022, he joined Al-Nassr.
Out of the 26 matches of Al-Nassr that Garcia managed, he won 18, drew five, and lost only three. However, it seems like the slip up in the league is the biggest reason for the sack. Points dropped against unfancied sides like Al-Feiha and Al-Fateh, compiled with the defeat against title contenders Al-Ittihad, piled the pressure on Garcia.
Rudi Garcia made harsh comments toward Cristiano Ronaldo
In late January, Al-Nassr suffered a 3-1 loss against Al-Ittihad. It saw them crash out of the Saudi Super Cup. Garcia, however, was quick to blame a chance missed by Ronaldo. According to him, it was a moment that could have turned the game around.
“One of the things that changed the course of the match was Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed opportunity in the first half,” he told reporters after the match.
🎙️ Rudi Garcia on Al-Nassr’s Cup defeat: “One of the things that changed the course of the match was Cristiano Ronaldo’s miss in the first half.” 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/R7wTDCZ9Ja
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) January 27, 2023
Ronaldo has scored 11 league goals in 10 appearances. He has scored important goals and earned points for the Saudi club. However, it is turning out to be inefficient as Al-Nassr are still three points behind Al-Ittihad. With 23 out of the 30 games played, Al-Ittihad have notched up 56 points while Al-Nassr have earned 53 points.
Does Ronaldo have a say in the hiring of the new coach? We have to wait and find out when Al-Nassr appoint as their new man-in-charge.