Al Nassr's goal for their next managerial appointment appears to be clear.
Under-19 coach Dinko Jelicic may have been handed the reigns following the sacking of Rudi Garcia last week but it is understood that the Saudi Pro League team are looking for a 'marquee' appointment to help boost the popularity of the sport. Along with Zinedine Zidane, former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is also understood to have been targeted.
Either would likely go down well with star man Cristiano Ronaldo. His appreciation for current Roma manager Mourinho and his tactics are well known.
ALSO READ: Mourinho 'targeted' for Ronaldo reunion
In 2018, the Portuguese star was full of praise for his fellow countryman. "I would put him [Mourinho] at the top, I always say that," said Ronaldo replied when asked where the 60-year-old ranked in the list of managers he's worked under. "I have played for so many great coaches, but Jose Mourinho was a big thinker analytically, he went into everything in great detail. Work with Mourinho again? Why not?"
And while Ronaldo would certainly be keen on a reunion with his ex-Real Madrid boss, Mourinho is likely to be more wary. In January, he explained he turned down the Portugal national team job, and doesn't bode well for Al-Nassr.
"The fact that the president of the FPF [Portuguese FA] said that I was not his first choice, but his only choice, makes me proud," Mourinho told Cabine Desportiva via 90min. "But I decided not to go. I'm here [at Roma] and that's what matters."
The opportunity to manage a national team has been one which Mourinho has been open to for some time. So, deciding to reject Portugal because he is happy in Italy, where he is competing for a top four spot in Serie A and glory in the Europa League, looks likely to halt any chance of Al Nassr persuading him of moving to Saudi Arabia.
READ NEXT:
