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Al-Nassr has launched an ambitious approach for Pep Guardiola ahead of the manager’s recently confirmed announcement that he will officially leave Manchester City at the end of the season.
The Saudi Pro League champions’ pursuit opens up the sensational possibility of a historic tactical partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Saudi giants approach Man City departure mastermind
Guardiola shook the footballing world by officially announcing his summer departure from City, concluding a transformative 10-year, trophy-laden tenure.
Taking advantage of this monumental administrative change, the new Saudi champions, Al-Nassr, embarked on an ambitious quest to lure the tactician to Riyadh.
After winning the Saudi Premier League and AFC Champions League 2, coach Jorge Jesus resigned, sparking further speculation.
Reports have emerged that the club offered a staggering, world-record salary package to unite the manager with Ronaldo, forcing Guardiola’s long-term representative Josep Maria Orobitg to publicly clarify the exact nature of those negotiations.
Orobitg rejects record numbers
Responding to widespread speculation that Al-Nassr tempted the Catalan coach with a multi-million pound package worth almost €130 million per season, Orobitg was quick to dismiss the astronomical figures.
Speaking to Saudi media Okazhe said: “There was contact a month and a half ago, just contact, without any commitment or written offer. It’s not a lot of money.”
No further discussions planned, says agent
Al-Nassr’s call is not the only inquiry coming from the Gulf region, as football authorities seek to capitalize on the manager’s sudden availability.
Reveal secondary discussions with the national system while remaining realistic about a total agreement.
“There were also contacts with the Saudi Federation about 15 days ago, but there will be no further contacts at the moment,” Orobitg added. “At the moment none of them have much chance of signing Guardiola.”
Etihad farewell precedes Guardiola job change
Guardiola will take charge of City for the final time on Sunday when his side host Aston Villa in an emotional season finale.
Once the post-match formalities have been completed, the focus will shift to his impending executive responsibilities as global ambassador for the City Football Group.
FIFA World Cup 2026: how to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34), with each game streaming live and on demand on FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, along with the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
