Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi club Al-Nassr fired coach Rudi Garcia on Thursday, less than a year into his tenure following media allegations of problems in the locker room and just days before a vital match against champions Al-Hilal.
After they drew 0-0 with lowly Al Feiha last Sunday, another setback to their aspirations of winning their first league championship since 2019, Garcia, the former AS Roma and Olympique de Marseille coach, chastised the players, saying “The outcome is horrible. I am not pleased with the players.”
According to local media, Garcia’s dismissal was due to both club unhappiness with his playing style and his connection with the players.
Al-Nassr has picked up seven points from their last four league games, falling to second place in the standings, three points behind Al-Ittihad with seven games remaining in the season.
Al-Nassr fell to Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup final in January, and this season they have yet to defeat any of their closest rivals, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, or Al-Shabab.
