Jesus Confirms Departure from Al-Nassr After Leading Saudi League Triumph

Jorge Jesus, the Portuguese head coach of Saudi club Al-Nassr, surprised the club’s supporters by confirming his definitive departure, despite recent rumors about the management's efforts to extend his contract for an additional season.

The experienced coach’s contract with Al-Nassr expired at the end of the 2025-2026 season, after he guided the team to win the Saudi Pro League title for the first time since the 2018-2019 season.

Following the season's conclusion, Jesus had already announced the end of his journey with Al-Nassr, even as Saudi media continued to report serious attempts by the club’s administration to retain him for another year.

In a piece published in the Portuguese newspaper Record, Jesus reiterated his decision to leave, stating, "I feel that I have fulfilled my mission to the fullest during these three years in Saudi football, leaving a clear mark here thanks to what I have contributed. I do not know if this is a final farewell to Saudi football or just a last goodbye in the world of football; nothing is certain."

He added, "Now I will seek a new challenge, and today I have the same ambition I had when I won my first titles. I intend to continue adding more achievements, so I will only accept working with a club that has the capacity to compete for titles."

Jesus further explained, "I will spend the next few weeks visiting some dear friends, and after that, I will carefully consider the next challenge awaiting me."

Reflecting on the season, he said, "The season ended in the best possible way for Al-Nassr after we won the Saudi league. For me, this was the second league title I have won in the Kingdom in three years, while Al-Nassr ended a long period without winning this title."

He continued, "I wanted to help Cristiano Ronaldo win the Saudi Pro League title, and from day one, I knew the task would not be impossible but would be very difficult. However, we achieved the goal, and it was a pivotal moment in my career and in the club’s history."

Jesus concluded by mentioning, "I am receiving offers from various teams, and fortunately, I have many good options for the 2026-2027 season, but I am not in a hurry to make a final decision about which offer I will accept."

During his time at Al-Nassr, Jesus led the team to victory in 40 of the 49 matches he managed across different competitions, with two draws and seven losses.

Recent reports have linked Jesus with a possible return to manage Turkish club Fenerbahçe next season, a team he previously coached in the 2022-2023 season and with which he won the Turkish Cup.