Portuguese coach departs Saudi champions after just one campaign in Riyadh
It is now officially confirmed: Jorge Jesus has left Al Nassr after guiding the Saudi club to the league title in what proved to be a short but highly successful spell in Riyadh.
The Saudi giants announced the departure of the Portuguese manager through their official social media channels, posting a farewell message that read:
“What a journey. What a chapter. Thank you, Mister.”
Although his exit had already been anticipated and even confirmed by the coach himself after securing the Saudi Pro League title , Al Nassr have now formally ended Jorge Jesus’ contract following an impressive season.
Jorge Jesus guided Al Nassr back to league glory
Jorge Jesus spent only one season in charge of Al Nassr, but his impact was immediate and significant.
The Portuguese coach led the Riyadh-based side in 49 matches, recording an impressive total of 40 victories. Under his leadership, Al Nassr won the Saudi league title for the first time in seven years.
The club also reached the Saudi Super Cup final, where they lost to Al Ahli, and the AFC Champions League 2 final, eventually defeated by Japan’s Gamba Osaka.
“I told Cristiano Ronaldo I would help him become champion”
After clinching the league title, Jorge Jesus openly discussed his decision to leave the club and revealed details of conversations with Cristiano Ronaldo.
“When I accepted this challenge, when Cristiano Ronaldo and Semedo invited me, I knew it would be the most difficult challenge of my coaching career,” Jorge Jesus said in an interview with Sport TV.
“To win this championship, we had to be much better than our opponents. I told Cristiano: ‘I will help you become champion and then I will move on with my life.’”
The experienced manager also explained why he initially agreed to only a one-year contract.
“When I spoke with Cristiano Ronaldo, they wanted me to sign for two years, but I only wanted one. That is what I usually do at the clubs where I work. It was a very demanding championship and an emotionally exhausting year, but also a wonderful one.”
Benfica and Brazil ruled out as next destinations
Jorge Jesus also addressed speculation surrounding his future and ruled out potential returns to both Benfica and Brazilian football.
“In Brazil, I would only coach Flamengo or the national team. I turned down the Brazil job last year because I wanted to stay loyal to Al Hilal and compete in the Club World Cup and the Asian Champions League.”
Regarding Benfica, the Portuguese coach was equally clear.
“A return to Benfica is out of the question. Benfica is a huge club and I am proud to be the coach with the most titles in the club’s history, but at this moment it is not an option.”
Fenerbahçe return remains possible
Despite dismissing several possibilities, Jorge Jesus admitted that a return to Fenerbahçe could happen in the future.
“The only country where I was not champion was Turkey with Fenerbahçe. Maybe I still have unfinished business there. It is one of the possibilities. I will think about it.”
This was Jorge Jesus’ second experience in Saudi Arabia after previously managing Al Hilal during the 2018/19 season and again between 2023 and 2025.
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