Bruno Lage appointed Al Diriyah head coach, set to face Cristiano Ronaldo | OneFootball

Bruno Lage has been appointed head coach of Al Diriyah, setting up meetings with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.

The club announced the appointment on social media, saying they aim to build a new era of glory with the Portuguese coach, and shared a video highlighting his career and honours.

Talks had been advancing for several days, and the Portuguese coach travelled to Saudi Arabia on Sunday to finalise the process and sign.

Based in Diriyah, about 15 kilometres north-west of Riyadh, the club will make their top-flight debut in 2026/27 and are turning to Lage’s experience to lead the project.

Aged 50, Lage returns after leaving Benfica in September 2025 following a home defeat by Qarabag in the Champions League.

It was his second spell with the Lisbon side, having won the league title in 2019.

Lage now takes charge aiming to establish Al Diriyah in the Saudi Pro League and push for a place among the country’s leading clubs.

Source: Glorioso 1904