Al-Nassr confirms the hiring of ex-Milan manager Pioli
Stefano Pioli Takes the Helm at Al-Nassr
Italian football manager Stefano Pioli has been appointed as the new head coach of Saudi Arabian football club Al-Nassr, according to a post on the club's official social media accounts. Pioli, who previously led AC Milan to a surprise Scudetto triumph in the 2021-22 season, will make his debut for Al-Nassr against Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq on Friday.
Pioli's arrival at Al-Nassr comes after the club parted ways with Luis Castro following a disappointing start to the 2024-25 season. Al-Nassr took five points from their first three games, including a 1-1 draw with Al-Raed and Al-Ahli in their first two home games. The club's decision to relieve Castro of his duties was made in an effort to turn around their fortunes.
Despite the lack of comprehensive win-loss-draw or goal statistics for Pioli's full 2024-25 term, he was still managing Al-Nassr as of July 18, 2025, notably before their AFC Champions League Elite semi-final match. His contract was terminated on July 14, 2025, and Jorge Jesus was appointed as the new head coach immediately afterward. The 2025-26 season under Jorge Jesus had not yet started as of mid-July 2025.
Pioli's move to Al-Nassr was not unexpected, as he had been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia after leaving Milan at the end of the 2023-24 season. Prior to his time at AC Milan, Pioli had a successful spell with Fiorentina, guiding them to a fifth-place finish in the Serie A in the 2019-20 season.
Al-Nassr's finish in the 2023-24 Pro League season was a distant second place, and the club will be hoping that Pioli can help them challenge for the title in the 2024-25 campaign. With the arrival of a proven manager like Pioli, Al-Nassr fans will be eagerly anticipating the start of the new season and the team's chances of success.
Pioli's previous success with Serie A club AC Milan and Fiorentina may provide insight into his potential impact on Al-Nassr, given his familiarity with European leagues. Despite his departure from Al-Nassr before the 2025-26 season start, the new season under Jorge Jesus will likely see Al-Nassr fans hoping for a renewed focus on challenging for the title, as they did when Pioli was in charge.
