Ange Postecoglou has made a surprising move to the Saudi Pro League, signing a two-year contract to become the new head coach of Al Nassr, the club announced on Friday. The 60-year-old Australian will now coach a team headlined by Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Postecoglou's New Role at Al Nassr
Al Nassr officially confirmed the appointment on social media, posting: "It's official: Mr. Ange Postecoglou is the new head coach of Al Nassr. He signed a contract for 2 seasons. Welcome, Gaffer!" The club is the reigning Saudi Pro League champion and also features Ronaldo's Portugal teammate Joao Felix.
Postecoglou's move is unexpected given his previous ambitions to remain in European football. He had been linked with the Scotland job after Steve Clarke stepped down following Scotland's World Cup exit, as well as the Kazakhstan national team position.
Previous Coaching Stints
Postecoglou had been without a coaching role since being sacked by Nottingham Forest last October, where he lasted just 39 days—the shortest-ever Premier League managerial stint. He did not win any of his eight matches in charge at Forest, and Greek owner Evangelos Marinakis made the decision after Forest's fourth consecutive loss in all competitions.
Prior to that, Postecoglou famously won the Europa League with Tottenham Hotspur, whom he led between 2023 and 2025. His time at the North London club was a rollercoaster: in his first season, he secured a fifth-placed finish and qualified Spurs for the Europa League. However, the following campaign saw Spurs slip to 17th, and Postecoglou was sacked last June, just weeks after winning the Europa League—the club's first trophy in 17 years.
Proven Winner Across Leagues
Postecoglou is a proven winner with a track record of success. His two stints in the Premier League followed trophy-laden periods at Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, Celtic in Scotland, and Brisbane Roar in Australia, as well as with the Socceroos. As former Socceroos boss, he won the Asian Cup in 2015, led Australia at the 2014 World Cup, and secured qualification for the 2018 tournament before resigning and later joining Yokohama F. Marinos.
Al Nassr, for whom Socceroos defender Aziz Behich played on loan in 2024, will hope Postecoglou's magic touch can deliver success in the local league and the Asian Champions Elite competition.
Coinciding with Another Australian Appointment
Postecoglou's move came mere hours after one of his former Yokohama assistants, Arthur Papas, was announced as head coach of another Saudi Pro League club, Al Ettifaq.
