The Australian manager, who was appointed by Al Nassr in July on a two-year contract, said the chance to become a small part of Ronaldo’s remarkable career appealed to him as he considered the next stage of his own managerial journey. Postecoglou replaced Jorge Jesus, who subsequently took charge of the Portugal national team.
Speaking on the The Howie Games podcast, Postecoglou explained that working with exceptional football figures has been one of the memorable aspects of his career. He recalled his own experience of being coached by the legendary Ferenc Puskás before later working with prominent players including former Australia international Tim Cahill and South Korean star Son Heung-min.
According to Postecoglou, Ronaldo's presence at Al Nassr offered another opportunity to be associated with a player whose career has already become a major part of football history. He said the prospect of contributing, even in a small way, to Ronaldo's story was “part of the attraction” of taking the Saudi Arabian job.
The 61-year-old coach stressed that his motivation was not simply about attaching his name to Ronaldo's achievements. Rather, he viewed the opportunity as part of his own career journey and the experience of working with players whose careers have had a significant impact on the sport.
Ronaldo remains one of the central figures at Al Nassr, and Postecoglou said the Portuguese forward continues to show a strong desire to achieve more despite being deep into the latter stages of his playing career. Ronaldo is approaching the 1,000-goal milestone, a target that Postecoglou described as an extraordinary achievement if reached.
Postecoglou also rejected the suggestion that moving from European football to Saudi Arabia represented a backward step in his career. After leaving Nottingham Forest following a brief spell in charge, the Australian said he had received interest from a number of clubs but wanted a job that offered an opportunity to make an impact and genuinely excited him.
He said the Saudi Pro League's investment, growing collection of high-profile players and managers, and the chance to compete in an ambitious football environment all contributed to his decision. Ronaldo's presence, however, made the opportunity even more appealing.
The move has so far produced an encouraging start. Postecoglou has guided Al Nassr to an unbeaten beginning to the 2026-27 campaign and was named the Saudi Pro League's Manager of the Month for August. The club's squad also includes established names such as Sadio Mané, Kingsley Coman and João Félix alongside Ronaldo.
For Postecoglou, the challenge now is to turn that promising start into sustained success. Al Nassr are competing for domestic honours while also targeting continental success, giving the Australian an opportunity to build his reputation in a new league while working with one of football's most recognisable stars.
The relationship between coach and captain will consequently remain one of the major storylines surrounding Al Nassr this season. Postecoglou's comments make clear that Ronaldo was not simply another player waiting for him when he arrived in Saudi Arabia; the opportunity to coach him was itself one of the reasons the job became so attractive.
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