Rudi Garcia Fired By Al Nassr After Rumors Of Tactical Dispute With Cristiano Ronaldo

Al Nassr fired manager Rudi Garcia following rumors of a tactical dispute with star player Cristiano Ronaldo. Al Nassr's new manager will be Dinko Jelicic.

Robert Summerscales | Apr 13, 2023

Rudi Garcia Fired By Al Nassr After Rumors Of Tactical Dispute With Cristiano Ronaldo /

Al Nassr fired manager Rudi Garcia on Thursday following rumors of a tactical dispute with star player Cristiano Ronaldo.

Former Roma boss Garcia had been in charge at Al Nassr since June last year.

His last game with the Saudi club was a 0-0 draw at Al Feiha on Sunday.

It has been claimed that Garcia had a heated argument with several players after that match.

Part of that row apparently included Ronaldo questioning Garcia's tactical approach.

Al Nassr manager Rudi Garcia pictured in January 2023 — Rudi Garcia has left his role as manager of Al Nassr :: IMAGO/PanoramiC

Garcia leaves Al Nassr second in the Saudi Pro League, three points behind leaders Al-Ittihad with seven rounds of fixtures left to play.

Shortly after confirming Garcia's exit on Thursday, Al Nassr revealed that he had been replaced by former Under 19 boss Dinko Jelicic.

Jelicic's first game in charge of the first team will be away at Al-Hilal next Tuesday.

A club statement said that Garcia had left by "mutual agreement" and thanked him and his staff "for their dedicated work during the past 8 months."

AlNassr can announce that Head Coach Rudi Garcia has left the Club by mutual agreement.

The board and everyone at AlNassr would like to thank Rudi and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 8 months. pic.twitter.com/6wx6p68f6N
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) April 13, 2023

We can announce that our U19 coach, Mr. Dinko Jelicic will be the new head coach for the first team.

Good luck, Mr. Dinko 💛 pic.twitter.com/ty52cRSwDT
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) April 13, 2023

Ronaldo has scored 11 goals in his first 12 matches for Al Nassr in all competitions.

Al Nassr have won eight of those 12 games, drawing two and losing two.

Both of Al Nassr's defeats with Ronaldo in the team have been against Al-Ittihad - first in the Saudi Super Cup and then again in the league.

Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January after falling out with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

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Published Apr 13, 2023

ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.