Al-Nassr have confirmed that manager Rudi Garcia has left the club ‘by mutual agreement’ following reports suggesting that he had a deteriorating relationship with his players, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Saudi Pro League club confirmed the news in a statement on Thursday and the Frenchman has left the club with immediate effect.
Reports over recent days had suggested that Garcia was on the verge of being sacked, following an eight-month stint at the club.
It was said that Garcia had a ‘blazing dressing room with his players’ following a goalless draw with Al-Feiha on Sunday, and that £175m-a-year star Ronaldo was ‘not satisfied’ with the coach’s tactics.
The Saudi club have also confirmed that their Under 19 coach Dinko Jelicic will take over as their new head coach.
A statement on social media read: ‘Al-Nassr can announce that Head Coach Rudi Garcia has left the Club by mutual agreement.
“The board and everyone at Al-Nassr would like to thank Rudi and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 8 months.”
Garcia’s exit comes in the wake of Ronaldo’s furious rant that saw him storm off the pitch on Sunday and bark at opposition players that they ‘don’t want to play’
The former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus star then marched straight down the tunnel at full-time.
Criticising Al-Nassr players after that performance, Garcia said: “I don’t feel satisfied with (their) performance.
“I asked them to play at the same level as the last game (a 5-0 win over Al-Adalah), but this didn’t happen.”
Spanish outlet Marca claimed that Ronaldo felt as though Garcia could get more out of his team mates.
Garcia took over as manager in the summer as replacement for Argentine Miguel Angel Russo.
The club will now be looking to their former U19 coach Jelicic to guide Ronaldo and Co to the Saudi Pro League title.
Keeping Ronaldo happy will be a big task for the Croatian, Jelicic. The 49-year-old previously held roles at lower league Croatian sides Kustosija, Rudes, and Radnik, as well as the Croatian U19 national team and academy boss at Spanish side Alaves.
Before Sunday’s rant, Ronaldo previously showed his frustration when he kicked a bottle after his side were beaten 1-0 by title rivals Al-Ittihad back in March.
During the match, Ronaldo had been jeered by taunts of ‘Messi, Messi’ referencing his long-time rival for the world’s greatest player for more than a decade.
