Ange Postecoglou has officially joined Saudi Pro League champions Al Nassr on a two-year contract, where he will team up with renowned player Cristiano Ronaldo at the club based in Riyadh.
The 60-year-old coach, who has previously managed Tottenham and the Australian national team, had been out of management following a brief eight-game tenure with Nottingham Forest last season.
Postecoglou, who secured five major titles during his two-season tenure at Celtic, was rumored to be a candidate for the Scotland managerial role after Steve Clarke stepped down following the team’s early World Cup exit. However, he is now back in the managerial arena with Al Nassr, who clinched the Saudi title for the first time in seven years under former coach Stefano Pioli, who departed after less than a year in charge.
In their official statement, the club announced, “A new chapter begins. Mr. Ange Postecoglou has been appointed as the head coach of Al Nassr’s first football team with a two-year contract. We extend our best wishes for success to him and his staff in the journey with our global club, God willing.”
While Ronaldo stands out as Postecoglou’s most notable player, he will also be coaching several other stars including Sadio Mané, Kingsley Coman, and João Félix.
Currently, Ronaldo, age 41, is participating in the World Cup with Portugal, where he equalized from a penalty against Croatia in the round of 32. However, he was substituted before Gonçalo Ramos scored a late winner. Portugal managed to advance to the round of 16 following a controversial VAR decision that disallowed a goal for Croatia, and they are set to face Spain.