Pioli can leave Al-Nassr amid Ronaldo tension and Roma links: Break clause | OneFootball

Former Milan coach Stefano Pioli could leave Al-Nassr at the end of the 2024-25 season due to a break clause in his contract, amidst speculation that there is growing tension between the coach and Cristiano Ronaldo and reports linking the 59-year-old with a move to Roma.

Recent reports claim that Pioli is an option for Roma, who are actively seeking a new head coach for the 2025-26 season. Cladio Ranieri is currently in charge until the end of the current campaign, but will step into a directorship role in the summer, and is currently leading the search for his own replacement in the dugout.

Ranieri revealed on Thursday that Gian Piero Gasperini ‘will not’ become the next Giallorossi head coach.

Pioli remains an option for Roma though. Ranieri hinted during his press conference on Thursday that the next Roma coach might not be fully ‘appreciated’ by some at first, and Pioli fits that description given his previous work with rivals Lazio.

Stefano Pioli coach of Al Nassr celebrates after winning the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Riyadh and Al-Nassr at Prince Faisal Bin Fahad on November 8, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

There had already been reports linking Pioli with a move to the Stadio Olimpico in September as well, when the Giallorossi dismissed Daniele De Rossi four games into the Serie A season. Pioli had already reached an agreement with Al-Nassr by that point, and Roma ultimately went with Ivan Juric instead.

Additionally, Ranieri’s time at Al-Nassr, where he has been head coach since September, could already be coming to an end.

Pioli break clause revealed, Roma links emerge

Friday’s reports from Calciomercato.com suggest that there is growing tension between the coach and Al-Nassr’s star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, particularly after the Pioli took Ronaldo off prematurely during a recent 3-1 win over Al Kholood.

Pioli earns a reported €12m per season on his current contract with Al-Nassr, but there is a break clause in his contract, which could be activated in June, and if that is the case, then he would be free to negotiate with any club ahead of the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign.

Stefano Piioli, Head Coach of Al-Nassr and Salem Al Najdi celebrate following the AFC Champions League Elite match between Al-Nassr FC and Al Ain FC at Al-Awaal Park on November 05, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

If Pioli does leave Al-Nassr, Calciomercato.com reports that his next job is likely to be in Italy, in Serie A, as opposed to another experience abroad.

The former Milan and Lazio head coach has also been linked with a move to Juventus in recent weeks, and could still theoretically be an option if Igor Tudor does not extend his interim contract.