Ange Postecoglou has revealed that the chance to coach Cristiano Ronaldo and become part of the Portugal star’s extraordinary career was a major factor in his decision to take charge of Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
The 61-year-old Australian was appointed Al Nassr manager in July on a two-year contract after Jorge Jesus left the club. Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, Kingsley Coman and João Félix are among the high-profile players in the squad.
Speaking on the LiSTNR podcast The Howie Games, Postecoglou said he had always valued being part of the careers of exceptional players and saw Ronaldo as another opportunity to do so.
He recalled working with Hungary legend Ferenc Puskás as a player, as well as Australia great Tim Cahill and former Tottenham forward Son Heung-min during his coaching career.
Postecoglou said the prospect of adding Ronaldo to that list was “part of the attraction”, describing himself as a small part of the stories of players who had made an extraordinary impact on football.
He also rejected the suggestion that moving to Saudi Arabia represented a step down from European football.
The former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest manager said he had received approaches from more than 10 clubs after leaving Forest but chose Al Nassr because he saw an opportunity to make an impact in a league that has attracted major investment, leading coaches and elite players.
“I’ve always railed against people who are snobbish about certain leagues,” he said.
Postecoglou has made an unbeaten start to the 2026-27 season and was named Saudi Pro League Manager of the Month for August.
Al Nassr are targeting another league title as well as their first Asian Champions League Elite crown.
The Australian also dismissed suggestions that managing a player of Ronaldo’s stature would be intimidating, saying the five-time Ballon d’Or winner remained highly motivated and had clear personal ambitions.
Ronaldo is closing in on 1,000 career goals, a milestone Postecoglou described as potentially “unbelievable”.
For Postecoglou, however, the appeal goes beyond trophies and results: the opportunity to work with one of football’s defining figures has become another chapter in a coaching career shaped by association with exceptional players.
