The agreement is dependent on the termination of his contract with Milan, to which he is still tied, despite no longer managing the team.
Stefano Pioli, the experienced Italian coach, is reportedly on the verge of taking over at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, replacing Luís Castro, who has been in charge of the team for a relatively short period.
Pioli's move to Al Nassr marks another significant step in the growing influx of European coaches and players to Saudi football, as the Saudi Pro League continues its efforts to elevate its profile on the global stage by attracting top talent. Pioli will be joining a club that boasts high-profile players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Otávio, and the expectations will be substantial, given the ambitions of both the club and the Saudi Pro League.
Pioli's appointment at Al Nassr comes after he was previously linked with a move to another Saudi club, Al Ittihad. There, he was considered a strong candidate to succeed Marcelo Gallardo, the former River Plate coach. However, negotiations with Al Ittihad did not materialize, and Pioli shifted his focus to Al Nassr, where he is now in advanced discussions to become the head coach. The Italian manager has a wealth of experience managing top clubs in Europe, including stints at Fiorentina, Lazio, and Inter Milan, and his tactical acumen has earned him a reputation as one of Italy's most respected coaches.
Although Pioli has left his position as the head coach of AC Milan, where he spent several successful seasons, he remains contractually tied to the club. This contractual obligation has created a minor delay in finalizing his move to Al Nassr, as Pioli must first negotiate a termination agreement with Milan. The Italian club, often referred to as the Rossoneri, has yet to fully release Pioli from his contract, despite having already made changes to their coaching staff. Once the contract is officially terminated, Pioli is expected to complete his move to the Middle East.
According to reports from La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Al Nassr has already reached a preliminary agreement with Pioli, who is expected to earn a substantial salary of around ten million euros per season, plus performance-related bonuses. This lucrative contract reflects the increasing financial power of Saudi clubs, which are willing to offer significant incentives to lure top-tier European coaches and players. Pioli, 58, could travel to Saudi Arabia as soon as tomorrow to finalize the details of his contract and begin preparations for his new role.
The appointment of Pioli signals Al Nassr's intention to continue building a competitive team capable of challenging for domestic and international honors. With Ronaldo leading the line and Otávio providing creative support in midfield, Pioli will inherit a squad with plenty of talent. His experience in managing big personalities, particularly during his time at Milan and Inter, will be crucial in guiding a star-studded squad like Al Nassr's. Pioli's tactical flexibility and his ability to adapt his playing style to suit the strengths of his team will be essential in maximizing the potential of the players at his disposal.
During his time at Milan, Pioli enjoyed considerable success, guiding the team to their first Serie A title in over a decade in the 2021–2022 season. His ability to develop young talent and create a cohesive unit was key to Milan's resurgence, and he was widely praised for his leadership during that period. However, Milan's form dipped in the following seasons, and despite Pioli’s efforts, the club decided to move in a different direction. His departure from Milan paved the way for his potential move to Saudi Arabia, where he will now face a new and different kind of challenge.
Al Nassr, like many other Saudi clubs, has been heavily investing in top-level talent to raise the standard of football in the region. The arrival of Ronaldo in January 2023 was a landmark moment for the Saudi Pro League, and since then, other prominent players such as Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Roberto Firmino have also made the move to Saudi Arabia. Pioli's arrival is expected to further strengthen Al Nassr's position as one of the leading clubs in the country, and the expectations for success will be immense.
For Pioli, this move represents not only a new chapter in his career but also an opportunity to test himself in a rapidly developing football landscape. Saudi Arabia's ambition to become a global football powerhouse is clear, and coaches like Pioli will be key to shaping the future of the league. The challenge will be to adapt to a different footballing culture and environment while maintaining the high standards of coaching he has displayed throughout his career in Europe.
As the Saudi Pro League continues to attract world-class talent both on and off the field, Pioli's potential arrival at Al Nassr could be another milestone in the country's efforts to elevate its footballing status. With a contract that could see him earn ten million euros per year, Pioli will be expected to deliver immediate results, particularly with a squad that features one of the greatest players in football history in Cristiano Ronaldo. The stakes are high, but Pioli's experience, tactical intelligence, and leadership could make him the ideal candidate to lead Al Nassr to success in both domestic competitions and the AFC Champions League.
As the final details of his contract are worked out, all eyes will be on Pioli’s next steps. Should he complete the move, he will join a growing list of European coaches and players who are shaping the future of football in Saudi Arabia, where the sport is rapidly evolving and expanding its influence on the global stage.
