<p><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a></strong> and <strong>Jorge Jesus</strong> may have just delivered one of the most memorable seasons in recent <strong>Al-Nassr</strong> history, but attention has already shifted toward the next major decision facing the Saudi champion. With Jesus officially stepping away from the project after winning the Saudi Pro League title, the search for his successor is now one of the biggest stories surrounding the club.</p>



<p>The uncertainty has fueled widespread speculation, with several high-profile managers linked to the vacancy. While names continue to circulate in reports across Europe and the Middle East, a new update suggests the timeline for appointing the next coach is becoming clearer.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/jorge-jesus/">Jesus</a>’ departure did not come as a surprise to those inside the club. The Portuguese manager had already revealed that his stay in Riyadh was always intended to be short-term, even before the season began. <em>“It is true that I am not going to continue in Saudi Arabia,”</em>&nbsp;Jesus said after the title-clinching victory.</p>



<p>The veteran coach explained that the decision had been planned from the start and that the physical and emotional demands of the campaign influenced his choice to step away. His final match could hardly have been more fitting. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-nassr/">Al-Nassr</a> secured the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/saudi-pro-league/">Saudi Pro League</a> crown with a commanding 4-1 victory over Damac, with Ronaldo scoring twice as the club celebrated its first league title since 2019.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/26120048/ronaldo-jorge-jesus-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-646915"></figure>



<p>The achievement completed a promise Jesus had made when he accepted the role. According to the manager, helping Ronaldo finally win the Saudi championship was one of the key reasons he agreed to take charge. <em>“I told him: I only accept this Nassr project because of you. We are both going to win the championship and you will leave here with a title. That is what happened.”</em></p>



<h2>Ronaldo now waits for the next chapter</h2>



<p>With the title secured and Jesus gone, the focus has shifted to identifying the manager who will lead the club into a new era. Reports suggest Ronaldo is expected to have a significant voice in the process, given his influence within the project and his importance to the club’s future plans. Among the names linked with the position, perhaps none has generated more attention than&nbsp;<strong>Pep Guardiola.</strong> </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Every trophy lift under Pep Guardiola! | 20 trophies in 10 years 🏆" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WkD8HW2cruU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>The possibility of seeing Guardiola and Ronaldo together at club level would represent one of the most remarkable managerial moves in recent soccer history. Reports indicate that early exploratory contact has been made, although no agreement has been reached. Guardiola remains a dream target rather than an imminent appointment.</p>



<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;<strong>Abel Ferreira</strong>&nbsp;has also emerged as a strong candidate. His success in South America, including multiple Copa Libertadores triumphs, has strengthened his reputation as a manager capable of handling pressure and expectations.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/19113944/Roberto-Martinez-Cristiano-1920x1080.webp" alt="Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates victory with Roberto Martinez, Manager of Portugal." class="wp-image-644933"><figcaption>Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates victory with Roberto Martinez, Manager of Portugal.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Perhaps the most intriguing option is&nbsp;<strong>Roberto Martinez.</strong> Having already worked closely with Ronaldo as Portugal coach, Martinez is familiar with the demands of managing elite players and is highly respected within soccer circles.</p>



<h2>The World Cup factor</h2>



<p>While supporters continue debating the merits of each candidate, a crucial detail has emerged regarding the timeline. According to former Al-Nassr legal department manager <em>Saad Al-Subaie</em> on <em><strong>X (formerly Twitter), </strong></em>the club wants to complete the process relatively soon. However, the situation is complicated by the international calendar. </p>



<p>Several coaching targets are involved with national teams or could become available only after the 2026 World Cup concludes, creating uncertainty about the final decision. This is particularly relevant in the case of Roberto Martinez, who is currently leading the Portuguese national team and would not be expected to become available until after the tournament concludes.</p>



<p>At the same time, Al-Subaie revealed that the club hopes to finalize its choice&nbsp;<strong>within the next two weeks</strong>, a period that coincides with the final countdown to the World Cup. That timing has intensified speculation over whether Al-Nassr already has a preferred candidate in mind.</p>


Cristiano Ronaldo could soon find out Jorge Jesus’ replacement as date for Al-Nassr to finalize new coach emerges, and it depends on 2026 World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo could soon find out Jorge Jesus’ replacement as date for Al-Nassr to finalize new coach emerges, and it depends on 2026 World Cup - World Soccer Talk

main

<p>The Portuguese coach of Brazilian club Palmeiras, Abel Ferreira, will earn more money than any other coach in the world.</p>



<p>The Brazilian league season ends next month. Abel Ferreira is going to accept a lucrative offer from Qatar and leave his position with the Big Green.</p>



<p>Abel Ferreira has received an ‘irrefutable’ offer from Al Sadd, as reported by the Catalan news outlet <a href="https://www.record.pt/internacional/paises/brasil/detalhe/espanhois-garantem-que-abel-ferreira-tem-proposta-para-passar-a-ser-o-treinador-mais-bem-pago-do-mundo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SPORT</a>. If accepted, the offer would put him ahead of all other soccer managers in terms of salary until 2024.</p>



<p>The 44-year-old manager and the Qatari side are in advanced stages of contract negotiations. The deal should close after <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/how-to-watch-palmeiras-on-us-tv/ar-AA1kA6Rh" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palmeiras</a>‘ season finale in early December. The deal, when finalized, would make Abel the highest-paid manager in the world, surpassing even Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone.</p>



<p>From 2019 until 2021, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> icon Xavi coached Al Sadd. Their conditions are characterized in the article as ‘financially, irrefutable’ and the ‘chance of a lifetime’, indicating that the Qatari club are committed to spending a lot of money to achieve their goal.</p>



<h2>How has Abel Ferreira fared at Palmeiras?</h2>



<p>As the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/brasileirao-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">Campeonato Brasileiro</a> enters its final stages, Palmeiras are embroiled in a fierce struggle to retain the Brazilian championship. With two games to go, they have the lead over Botafogo by three points.</p>



<p>The latter team are in terrible form with four draws and a defeat in the last five games. Once Ferreira arrived in Brazil and assumed leadership of Palmeiras in November 2020, he immediately began to achieve success.</p>



<p>During his tenure in Sao Paulo, Abel won several trophies, including the Brazilian championship last year and the Copa Libertadores medals in consecutive years. In addition to his accomplishments in Brazil, Ferreira has coached in Europe, most notably at PAOK Thessaloniki and Braga.</p>



<h2>Portuguese coach is Endrick’s mentor</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/16052424/Abel-Ferreira-Endrick-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-474374" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><figcaption>Abel Ferreira has helped Endrick develop into one of the game’s rising stars.</figcaption></figure>



<p>The overwhelming demands of Brazil’s fixture calendar almost caused Abel to abandon his post just last month. He went on to say that everyone is affected by the hectic pace of Brazilian soccer.</p>



<p>He had the bright idea that they could minimize coach complaints by getting more sleep and ‘oxygen’ so they would not make as many blunders. Ferreira has also made light of the fact that he got an overwhelming number of cards in the past.</p>



<p>He made a sarcastic comment about how great it was that he could lead the squad from the luxury of his sofa while staying home to enjoy his family during games. In addition to discussing this, he has talked about his hopes for Endrick’s future at Real Madrid and the traits he sees in the player.</p>



<p>“Endrick is a case in which everything happened very quickly. He always played above his category. When he reached the professional team, he had other competitions, stronger player levels, with other difficulties, but he is a young man with a lot of character, with a good heart, who listens a lot, who wants to learn. He is a born finisher.</p>



<p>“He is not a player who is from the area, but who appears, has a lot of mobility, likes to attack space. With the right and left, he is easy to shoot on goal and he has goals. That is very good for him. If we are calm, we water this plant with the necessary water, I have no doubt that in three, four years it can be a world reference”, <a href="https://www.uol.com.br/esporte/futebol/ultimas-noticias/2023/11/12/abel-ferreira-endrick-palmeiras-internacional.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he said</a>.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>


Portuguese coach poised to earn highest salary in world

Neither Pep Guardiola nor Diego Simeone, a coach from Portugal, Abel Ferreira, will likely become the highest-paid coach in the world.

Latest news from Abel Ferreira. Find out about all the news related to Abel Ferreira on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Abel Ferreira"

News

Cristiano Ronaldo could soon find out Jorge Jesus’ replacement as date for Al-Nassr to finalize new coach emerges, and it depends on 2026 World Cup

News

Portuguese coach poised to earn highest salary in world