Stefano Pioli leaves Al-Nassr!: Who will coach Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo now?

Who will replace Stefano Pioli at Al-Nassr? (Image credits - Heute, License Details)

Former AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has left Al-Nassr following a disappointing campaign in the previous season, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo and co. in search of a new candidate who can replace the Italian manager.

As reported by various trusted sources, the Italian tactician has decided to join Serie A side Fiorentina, where he played from 1989 to 1995 and coached from 2017 to 2019.

Al-Nassr confirmed Pioli's departure with an official announcement, stating, "Al-Nassr officially announces the termination of the contractual relationship with the first team coach, Mr Stefano Pioli. We appreciate all the efforts made by him and his staff and wish them success.” (sic)

Who will replace Pioli at Al-Nassr?

Nassr have begun their search for a candidate who is worthy enough to fill in the boots of Stefano Pioli, with Marc Brys' name emerging out of the shadows.

Currently, Brys is in charge of the managerial reins at the Cameroon national team, where he has been leading and developing the African side for over a year.

As per reports, Nassr have seemed to identify the Belgian's vast experience, as he has previously even managed Al-Raed in the Saudi Pro League.

However, the question lies whether Brys can guide Al-Nassr to silverware in the upcoming season or not, as Pioli's departure is said to be influenced the Italian manager's failure to do the same.

With Cristiano Ronaldo signing a two-year contract extension with Nassr, guiding him and the rest of the team to major silverware has become an absolute priority for the Saudi giants, with the main targets being the Saudi Pro League trophy and the AFC Champions League title.

Ronaldo, who has now been with Nassr for more than two years, has failed to lead them to a single major trophy, despite having played a major part in their last two campaigns, where he was awarded as the top scorer of the Saudi Pro League twice, scoring a total of 99 goals out of 105 appearances for the Saudi giants.

Therefore, both Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo surely seem desperate to win a major trophy, and as a result, hiring the right man for the managerial role is a crucial task for the club's management.