Al-Nassr, a Riyadh-based Saudi football club, has appointed Luis Castro as their new manager, replacing Rudi Garcia who was dismissed after the team’s disappointing performance in the 2022-23 league season.
The 61-year-old Portuguese coach recently left his position at Brazilian club Botafogo on June 30 to join Al-Nassr.
Reports indicate that Cristiano Ronaldo, who made a sensational move to Al-Nassr in January 2023, played a significant role in the decision to bring in Castro.
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Following Garcia’s departure in April, Al-Nassr had been without a permanent manager, with Dinko Jelicic serving as the interim caretaker.
Castro’s extensive managerial experience, including stints at clubs like Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk, will prove valuable in leading Al-Nassr. Moreover, his proficiency in Portuguese will facilitate effective communication with star player Ronaldo.
In other news, Al-Nassr has recently finalized the signing of Marcelo Brozovic after a prolonged battle with FC Barcelona.
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The Saudi club secured the services of the Croatian midfielder in a £15 million deal. Brozovic, who spent eight successful years at Inter Milan, played a crucial role for the team, including featuring in the UEFA Champions League final in June where Inter lost to Manchester City in Istanbul.
During his time in Italy, Brozovic made 330 appearances for Inter Milan, scoring 31 goals. He claimed the Serie A title once and lifted the Coppa Italia trophy twice.
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