Ange Postecoglou says that getting the chance to coach Cristiano Ronaldo and be a small part of the story of another one of football’s greats played a large role in drawing him to Saudi side Al Nassr.
Postecoglou, 61, was announced as the new coach of Al Nassr in July, signing a two-year deal to take over the club, which fields the likes of Sadio Mané, Kingsley Coman, and João Félix in addition to Ronaldo, following the departure of Jorge Jesus, who has since been named the head coach of Portugal.
And appearing on LiSTNR podcast The Howie Games, the former Australia, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest boss said that a chance to work with the talent assembled by the PIF-owned club, highlighted by Ronaldo and his pursuit of 1000 career goals, played a large role in luring him to Riyadh.
“When I reflect on my career, what stands out for me is that I’ve been unbelievably blessed in being part of other people’s journeys,” Postecoglou said. “When I was a player, Ferenc Puskás was my coach, one of the greatest players of all time. And just that association has been unbelievable for me because I’m a small part of that man’s story; a little small part, but a small part.
Read more:Cristiano Ronaldo confirms marriage to Georgina Rodríguez
“With the Socceroos, I worked with arguably our greatest ever player in Timmy Cahill, so I’m a small part of his story. Sonny [Son Heung-min], the greatest ever Korean player, I’m a small part of his story.
“So, there’s no doubt, Cristiano Ronaldo’s here, you kind of go, I can become a small part of his story as well. And not from a selfish point of view, but for my own kind of life’s journey, of everything I wanted to do since I was a kid, you get associated with these people on the way.
“That was part of the attraction… Not that they’ll tell my story alongside it, but I can tell that story, and that was a part of it as well.”
Read more:Ronaldo seals victory as Al Nassr’s perfect season start continues
Postecoglou has led Al Nassr to an unbeaten start to the 2026-27 campaign — named the Saudi Pro League’s manager of the month for August — as they seek to defend their Saudi title, as well as chase a first-ever Asian Champions League Elite crown.
Out of the dugout since he was sacked after just 39 days as Forest boss last October, the Australian said that he’d been approached by “double-digit” clubs about vacant roles, with “half-a-dozen” drawing further consideration.
“I’ve never worried about… People say ‘it’s not in Europe, it’s not a higher profile league’ but I’ve always railed against people who are snobbish about certain leagues and everything,” said Postecoglou. “I wasn’t going to turn around and say that’s a backwards step for me. I never see things that way.
Read more:Ange Postecoglou joins Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr as head coach
“I think, is there an opportunity there? Can I make an impact? Would I be excited about the prospect of doing it? And it ticked those boxes for me because it’s a league that’s obviously invested a lot of money, there’s some top managers here, some top players here. The chance to be a part of that was significant.”
And the coach said managing players like Ronaldo, who he described as being a “good-looking rooster,” wasn’t a daunting prospect.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be around some great players, and they all share the same characteristics, irrespective of the kind of personality,” he said.
Read more:Argentina pausing all games in minute 10 for Messi tribute
“They’re all hugely motivated; they’re all very focused. People say, ‘How do you deal with this?’ and it was the former coach at the club that said it; sometimes people don’t realise it’s a lot easier dealing with the great players rather than the ones who think they’re great.
“Because the great ones, they put in the hard work. They’re motivated. They do the right things. And as a coach, as a manager, you go, ‘I want a piece of that.’
“You get that sense: [Ronaldo’s] still very motivated, he’s still got some very clear goals, he’s close to scoring 1000 goals, which is going to be unbelievable. “
