By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Saudi Arabia, May 22, 2026 - Al Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus has officially decided to leave the Saudi club with immediate effect following their dramatic Saudi Pro League title triumph, bringing an emotional end to one of the most closely watched managerial projects in Middle Eastern football.
The Portuguese coach confirmed his departure shortly after Al Nassr secured the league championship with a commanding 4–1 victory over Damac on the final day of the season, a result that finally delivered Cristiano Ronaldo his first Saudi domestic league title since arriving in Riyadh in 2022.
Speaking after the match, Jorge Jesus revealed that helping Ronaldo become Saudi champion had always been central to his mission at the club.
“I came here to help Cristiano and this club to win,” Jesus said after the title celebrations. “We did an incredible job all together… now for me it’s time to go.”
The 71-year-old coach explained that he had already planned his exit before the season concluded and had originally accepted only a short-term project when Al Nassr approached him.
According to Portuguese outlet Ge Globo, Jesus told club officials and Cristiano Ronaldo from the beginning that he intended to stay for only one season. He reportedly promised the Portuguese superstar that he would help him win the Saudi title before leaving the club.
That promise has now been fulfilled.
Al Nassr clinched the Saudi Pro League crown after defeating Damac 4–1 in Riyadh, with Ronaldo scoring twice in a title-winning performance that immediately became one of the defining moments of his Saudi Arabian career. Sadio Mané and Kingsley Coman also scored during the decisive victory as Al Nassr finished two points ahead of Al Hilal at the top of the table.
For Ronaldo, the championship ended years of frustration in Saudi Arabia.
Despite scoring consistently since joining Al Nassr, the Portuguese forward had repeatedly fallen short in major competitions, suffering painful defeats in league races, cup competitions, and continental tournaments. Just days before sealing the title, Al Nassr had lost the AFC Champions League Two final against Gamba Osaka, leaving enormous pressure on both Ronaldo and Jesus heading into the final league fixture.
The title victory therefore carried huge emotional significance for both men.
Jesus described the campaign as one of the hardest challenges of his managerial career because of the strength of rivals Al Hilal, a club he himself had previously helped build into a dominant force during his earlier spell in Saudi football.
“When I accepted this challenge, I knew it would be extremely difficult,” Jesus explained in post-match interviews. “To beat Al Hilal, we had to become much better than everybody else. And we did that because we built a very united group.”
His departure marks the end of a highly eventful season at Al Nassr.
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Jesus transformed the team into one of the strongest attacking sides in Saudi Arabia while also helping maximize the performances of players such as Ronaldo, João Félix, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović, and Kingsley Coman. Throughout the season, Al Nassr developed a reputation for aggressive attacking football combined with strong defensive organization.
The coach’s relationship with Ronaldo was viewed as one of the key reasons behind Al Nassr’s success.
Multiple reports from Portugal and Spain indicate the two shared a close professional connection, with Ronaldo personally supporting the appointment when Al Nassr targeted Jesus last year. The manager himself admitted that Cristiano’s ambition to finally win the Saudi title heavily influenced his decision to accept the role.
Reaction to the news has been massive across football social media.
Supporters praised Jesus for delivering the club’s first league title since 2019 and helping Ronaldo finally achieve domestic success in Saudi Arabia. Many fans also highlighted the irony of Jesus leaving immediately after completing the exact mission he had promised at the start of the project.
Speculation regarding his next destination has already begun.
Portuguese media reports suggest Jesus could take time away from football before deciding on his next move. He has also been linked with possible opportunities involving the Portugal national team and Turkish club Fenerbahçe, although no agreement has yet been confirmed.
For Al Nassr, the challenge now becomes finding a successor capable of maintaining the momentum created this season.
The club not only won the Saudi title but also restored supporters' belief after several disappointing years. Ronaldo is also expected to remain central to the project moving forward, making the next managerial appointment of enormous importance.
As for Jorge Jesus, he leaves Riyadh with his mission complete.
He arrived promising Cristiano Ronaldo a league title.
One season later, he delivered it, and walked away as champion.
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