Al-Nassr has announced Jorge Jesus’s successor as head coach. It’s not Roberto Martinez, but Ange Postecoglou. The Australian failed to win a single game with his last club.
With the Portuguese national team, Roberto Martinez led the squad to a 2-1 victory over Croatia, securing a spot in the World Cup round of 16 and bringing them one step closer to the title. Regardless of the outcome of Monday’s match against neighboring Spain, however, it has long been clear that the 52-year-old’s tenure with the Selecao will end after the tournament.
Since the news of his departure broke, there has been plenty of speculation about Martinez’s next move. A few days ago, rumors circulated that he might take over as head coach at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. It would be an interesting situation, given that the club currently has two Portuguese national team players under contract: Cristiano Ronaldo (through summer 2027) and João Félix.
It won’t come to that anyway, because as of Friday evening, it’s clear that Al-Nassr’s new coach won’t be Martinez. Instead, the Saudi club introduced Ange Postecoglou as the successor to Jorge Jesus. The Portuguese coach’s departure after just one season was already known before the championship celebration—the first in seven years.
For Postecoglou, this is his first job since last October, when he was fired by Nottingham Forest—after barely more than a month. In eight matches after taking over from Nuno Espirito Santo, he managed to secure only two draws; all other matches were lost.
Two-year contract
Despite this unsuccessful stint, however, Postecoglou knows very well how to win titles. He won the Europa League with Tottenham in the summer of 2025, and prior to that, the 60-year-old Australian enjoyed success in Scotland. In two years as Celtic’s head coach, Postecoglou won five trophies.
Postecoglou has signed a contract with Al-Nassr for the same duration. “We wish him and his coaching staff every success on their journey with the club,” his new employer stated succinctly.
