Ange Postecoglou has taken charge as head coach of Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League champions, signing a two-year contract that brings the Australian back to the dugout following two bruising spells in English football.
The Saudi club announced the appointment in a statement: “A new chapter. Mr Ange Postecoglou appointed as head coach of the Al-Nassr first team. The contract spans two seasons. We wish him and his staff every success in their journey.”
Postecoglou replaces Jorge Jesus, who stepped down after guiding Al-Nassr to the league title on the final day of last season. He inherits a squad featuring Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who played a pivotal role in securing that championship.
Difficult Recent Spell
The 60-year-old arrives in Riyadh seeking to rebuild a reputation damaged during brief tenures at Tottenham and Nottingham Forest. While he led Spurs to Europa League success in 2025, the club dismissed him just two weeks later after they finished 17th in the Premier League.
His subsequent move to Forest during the 2025-26 campaign proved even shorter. The Australian lasted only 40 days in charge, departing without a victory from his eight matches, six of which ended in defeat. This marked a dramatic fall from grace for a manager who had previously enjoyed an unblemished record of winning league titles in every domestic job he had held.
Proven Track Record
Before these struggles, Postecoglou enjoyed considerable success. Under his leadership, Celtic won two Scottish Premiership titles and he has also claimed league championships with Brisbane Roar and Yokohama F Marinos. Between 2013 and 2017, he managed the Australia national team.
Prior to accepting the Al-Nassr post, he had been linked with the Scotland vacancy following Steve Clarke’s departure after their World Cup exit. Interest from Kazakhstan also failed to materialise, with reports suggesting his wage demands exceeded their budget.
What Next
The Saudi role offers Postecoglou an opportunity to restore his standing at a club that now sits at the summit of Saudi Arabian football. With Ronaldo leading the attack and the defending champions expecting further silverware, the pressure will be immediate as he attempts to establish stability after a turbulent eighteen months.