Ange Postecoglou expressed that the opportunity to coach Cristiano Ronaldo and play a role in the legacy of another football legend was a significant factor in his decision to join Saudi club Al Nassr.
Postecoglou, now 61, was unveiled as the head coach of Al Nassr in July, signing a two-year contract to lead a team that includes renowned players such as Sadio Mané, Kingsley Coman, and João Félix, among others. This came after the departure of Jorge Jesus, who became the head coach of Portugal.
While appearing on the LiSTNR podcast The Howie Games, Postecoglou, who has previously managed Australia, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nottingham Forest, stated that the chance to work with the star-studded roster at the PIF-backed club, highlighted by Ronaldo’s quest for his 1000th career goal, significantly influenced his move to Riyadh.
“Reflecting on my journey, I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of others’ stories,” Postecoglou noted. “As a player, I had the privilege of being coached by Ferenc Puskás, one of the all-time greats. Being even a small part of that narrative has been extraordinary for me.”
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“With the Socceroos, I worked alongside arguably our greatest player ever, Tim Cahill, which makes me part of his story. Similarly, I look at Son Heung-min, the best Korean player of all time, and see my involvement in his journey.”
“So now, with Cristiano here, I think, I can also be a small part of his story. This isn’t about me being selfish; rather, it contributes to my life’s journey, fulfilling what I aspired to accomplish from a young age, associating with such remarkable figures along the way.”
“That aspect was definitely alluring… not that my story will be connected to theirs, but that I have the opportunity to share it, contributed to my decision.”
Since taking charge, Postecoglou has led Al Nassr to an undefeated start in the 2026-27 season, earning the Saudi Pro League’s Manager of the Month award for August as they aim to defend their league title and pursue their first-ever Asian Champions League Elite title.
After a brief tenure with Nottingham Forest ended in his dismissal following only 39 days last October, Postecoglou revealed that he had received interest from more than ten clubs regarding coaching positions, with several of those opportunities being seriously considered.
“I’ve never been concerned about… people thinking ‘it’s not in Europe, it’s not a high-profile league.’ I’ve consistently opposed the snobbishness towards certain leagues,” he commented. “I refused to see this as a backward step for me; I view it differently.”
“My focus was on the opportunity. Can I make a difference? Am I excited about the prospect? It checked all the boxes for me since this league has made substantial investments, attracting top-tier managers and players. Being a part of this is significant.”
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The coach remarked that managing players like Ronaldo, whom he described as a “charismatic figure,” wasn’t intimidating at all.
“I’ve had the privilege of being around elite players, and they share common traits regardless of their personalities,” he said. “They’re all exceptionally driven and focused. People often ask, ‘How do you handle players like this?’ But as the previous coach mentioned, dealing with the true greats tends to be much easier than those who merely think they are exceptional.”
“The elite players put in the hard work and are motivated. As a coach, that inspires me. You want to be part of that.”
“Ronaldo remains highly motivated and has specific goals, like reaching 1000 career goals, which is going to be incredible.”