Al Nassr Appoint Portuguese Coach Jorge Jesus for 1 Season

On Monday, Saudi club Al Nassr officially announced the appointment of Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus as head coach of the first football team. 

The contract is a one-year one.

In an official statement, the club confirmed that Jesus signed the deal in Riyadh, just days before the team’s preseason camp kicks off on July 17.

Jesus replaces Italian coach Stefano Pioli, whose stint with “Al-Alami” lasted less than a full season.

As part of the summer preparation program, Al Nassr management has agreed with Jesus to play five friendly matches. 

Three of those will be held in Austria during the first phase of the camp, followed by two matches in Portugal, including a highly anticipated clash with French side Olympique Lyon. 

The team will open their friendlies with a match against an amateur Austrian side.

Al Nassr had previously outlined a 30-day preparation plan involving three stages: the gathering in Riyadh on July 17, followed by training in Austria from July 20 to August 4, and then a second phase in Portugal until August 11. 

The final leg will take place in Hong Kong.

The team is expected to conclude preparations with a high-profile match against Al Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal, scheduled for August 18.