(Football news) Al Nassr have parted ways with their head coach Rudi Garcia as the club made an official announcement on Thursday. Garcia left the club reportedly for having an uneasy relationship with star player Cristiano Ronaldo and the entire dressing room. It was first reported on Wednesday that former Roma, Marseille and Lyon boss Garcia had only one game to save his job at Al Nassr after they dropped points midweek to further fall behind Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.

He publicly criticised his players after they drew 0-0 with Al Feiha last week as it was a major blow to their hopes of a first league title since 2019. Garcia said: “The result is bad. I don’t feel satisfied with the players.” Despite the sacking he guided Al Nassr to seven wins in their past eight league games, but his failure to claim top spot in the league left him fighting for his future. The former Roma manager remained  at Al Nassr longer than the majority of coaches in the Saudi Pro League as they have the highest rates of manager dismissals in the world. The league averages a new head coach in four months.

Al Nassr are currently three points behind Al Ittihad and face reigning Asian champions Al Hilal in their next game on Tuesday. It will be a big match considering Al Hilal are also there in with a shout to challenge for the title. Al Nassr also lost the Saudi Super Cup final to Al Ittihad in January and have not beaten any of their closest rivals, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, or Al Shabab, in the league this season. Al Nassr confirmed that their Under 19 coach Dinko Jelicic will take over as their new head coach on an interim basis. 

A statement read: “The board and everyone at Al Nassr would like to thank Rudi and his staff for their dedicated work.”

Ronaldo later posted an Instagram story showing a photo of him and Garcia with the message: “Pleasure to have worked with you. Wishing you all the best for the future.”

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