Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has opened up on Willy Gnonto’s difficult Fiorentina departure, admitting the winger’s exit left him emotional. The post Daniel Farke Admits Star’s Leeds United Exit Was Emotional appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
Postecoglou has now opened up about what attracted him to Riyadh, offering a surprisingly personal explanation for why the opportunity appealed to him. Cristiano Ronaldo has become one of the biggest figures in Ange Postecoglou’s new chapter at Al-Nassr, but the Australian manager’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia was shaped by something deeper than soccer ambition alone. Postecoglou has now opened up about what attracted him to Riyadh, offering a surprisingly personal explanation for why the opportunity appealed to him. The 61-year-old arrived at Al-Nassr in July on a two-year contract after Jorge Jesus departed for the Portugal national team. Since then, the Australian has embraced the challenge of working in a rapidly developing league, while also finding himself at the center of Ronaldo’s pursuit of another remarkable career milestone. Postecoglou has built a fascinating managerial career, working across Australia, Japan, Scotland and England before taking charge of Al-Nassr. His European experience included spells with Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, with his time at Tottenham ending shortly after he guided the club to the 2025 Europa League title. His arrival in the Middle East therefore naturally raised questions about why he would choose to leave the European soccer environment. For Postecoglou, though, the decision was never simply about comparing one league with another. Instead, one particular opportunity made the Al-Nassr project especially difficult to resist. First awards of the season, and the boss is already on top 🧠🥇Ange Postecoglou — Coach of the Month for August 👏 pic.twitter.com/QvfQBXCnmM— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) September 2, 2026 Why Ronaldo played major role in his decision Postecoglou revealed that the chance to become part of Cristiano Ronaldo’s story was one of the attractions of moving to Riyadh. The manager views his career partly through the relationships he has built with extraordinary players, and Ronaldo represents perhaps the biggest name on that list. Speaking on The Howie Games podcast, Postecoglou said: “When I reflect on my career, what stands out for me is that I’ve been unbelievably blessed in being part of other people’s journeys.” He recalled working with legendary figures throughout his career, including Ferenc Puskás, Australian icon Tim Cahill and Son Heung-min. Postecoglou explained: “So, there’s no doubt, Cristiano Ronaldo’s here, you kind of go, I can become a small part of his story as well.” The Australian stressed that his motivation was not selfish. He added: “Not that they’ll tell my story alongside it, but I can tell that story, and that was a part of it as well.” Will Postecoglou regret decision? The manager also pushed back against the idea that joining the Saudi Pro League represented a backward step. Rather than judging the competition by its location or perceived prestige, Postecoglou said he focused on whether the project offered genuine opportunities. Postecoglou said: “People say ‘it’s not in Europe, it’s not a higher profile league’ but I’ve always railed against people who are snobbish about certain leagues and everything.” He added: “I wasn’t going to turn around and say that’s a backwards step for me. I never see things that way.” Instead, the Australian asked whether he could make an impact and whether the challenge would excite him. He continued: “It ticked those boxes for me because it’s a league that’s obviously invested a lot of money, there’s some top managers here, some top players here. The chance to be a part of that was significant.”
After winning the 2026 World Cup, Marcos Llorente announced his retirement from Spain national team at just 31 years old. The Spain national team took the global soccer community by storm with a dominant defensive run during the 2026 World Cup, conceding just one goal across the entire tournament. However, La Roja have suffered an immediate roster blow ahead of defending their crown in 2030, as utility star Marcos Llorente announced his retirement from international duty at just 31 years old. In a statement published on his Instagram account on Thursday, September 3, Llorente confirmed that he is stepping away from the senior national team. The decision caught observers off guard, given his status as a key member of the World Cup-winning squad and the expectation that he could remain an integral contributor for years to come. The Atletico Madrid midfielder turned right back also revealed that his retirement was decided well before the tournament kicked off in North America. “Regardless of whether I had gone to the World Cup or not, or whether we had won or not, I had already made this decision,” Llorente wrote. Llorente made his senior debut for Spain on November 11, 2020, coming off the bench for 18 minutes in an international friendly against the Netherlands. Over the subsequent six years, he compiled 27 total caps while transitioning seamlessly between central midfield and right back, recording four assists without finding the back of the net for La Roja. Marcos Llorente’s Instagram post. The versatile Spaniard featured during the group stage of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League campaign, but missed the final four due to a muscle injury as Spain went on to claim the title. He was also left off the final roster for UEFA Euro 2024 by manager Luis de la Fuente, missing out on another major trophy during that cycle. His crowning international moment arrived this summer as Spain captured the 2026 World Cup trophy. Llorente opened the tournament as De la Fuente’s starting right back, playing all 90 minutes in group stage victories over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, before Pedro Porro claimed the starting spot, leaving Llorente to make a brief six-minute cameo in the semifinal victory over France. Marcos Llorente’s farewell letter “After spending a lot of time thinking it over, I have decided to close my chapter with the National Team. I am aware that I am still young and that, perhaps, if I kept doing things right, I would still have years left to continue playing in this shirt. I know that many of you will not understand it and, surely, I wouldn’t have understood it from the outside either. But it is a personal decision, deeply considered and, above all, deeply felt. Regardless of whether I had gone to the World Cup or not, or whether we had won or not, I had already made this decision. I can only be infinitely grateful to all the people I have crossed paths with over these years who have made it possible for my family and me to experience unique and unforgettable moments. I take with me everything we experienced, but above all, these last 52 days. With a wonderful group that fought until the end to put Spain at the very top. And they did just that. It has been a matter of great pride to represent my country and be part of this history. Thank you for everything. A warm embrace to everyone.“
The Australian coach has delivered a remarkably positive assessment of his superstar forward, revealing an aspect of Ronaldo that can often be overlooked when the spotlight falls on his enormous reputation. Cristiano Ronaldo has worked with some of soccer’s biggest managers throughout his extraordinary career, but his latest relationship with Ange Postecoglou is already offering an interesting glimpse into life at Al-Nassr. The Australian coach has delivered a remarkably positive assessment of his superstar forward, revealing an aspect of Ronaldo that can often be overlooked when the spotlight falls on his enormous reputation. Postecoglou has made an encouraging start in Riyadh, guiding Al-Nassr through an unbeaten opening to the 2026-27 campaign. His early results were rewarded with the Saudi Pro League Manager of the Month award for August, while the club continues to pursue major domestic and continental ambitions. Al-Nassr is looking to defend its Saudi title while also chasing the elusive AFC Champions League crown. The 41-year-old superstar remains central to those ambitions, particularly as the club attempts to translate its strong domestic form into success on the continental stage. For Postecoglou, having a player of Ronaldo’s stature could appear to present an enormous managerial challenge. The Portuguese forward has won almost everything available during his career, commands huge attention worldwide and is still pursuing extraordinary personal targets well into his 40s. Yet Postecoglou does not appear concerned about managing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. In fact, his experience with elite players has led him to reach almost the opposite conclusion. Why Postecoglou says Ronaldo is easier to manage Speaking about managing elite players, Ange Postecoglou said on the LiSTNR podcast The Howie Games: “I’ve been lucky enough to be around some great players, and they all share the same characteristics, irrespective of the kind of personality.” He continued: “They’re all hugely motivated; they’re all very focused.” That mentality, according to Postecoglou, can actually make the manager’s job simpler because truly exceptional players understand the work required to remain at the top. The Al-Nassr boss explained the distinction by recalling advice from a previous coach: “Sometimes people don’t realize it’s a lot easier dealing with the great players rather than the ones who think they’re great.” Ange Postecoglou spoke about his first meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo, explaining that Ronaldo came over himself to greet him and that they had a wonderful conversation.Postecoglou says Ronaldo remains highly motivated, has clear goals and is now just steps away from reaching…— The Nassr Tribune™️ (@AlNassrTribune) September 3, 2026 That comment provides the clearest explanation for his glowing assessment of Ronaldo. The biggest stars may have enormous personalities, but genuine greatness comes with the discipline and work ethic needed to support it. Postecoglou sees those qualities in Ronaldo, even at this stage of his career. Rather than needing constant motivation from his manager, the Portuguese forward arrives with his own targets and an apparently relentless desire to achieve them. Postecoglou added: “Because the great ones, they put in the hard work. They’re motivated. They do the right things.” For a coach, having that attitude inside the squad can be invaluable, particularly when trying to establish demanding standards across an entire team. The manager also highlighted the psychological benefit of working alongside such a player. He said: “And as a coach, as a manager, you go, ‘I want a piece of that.’” What is driving Ronaldo amid 1,000-goal target? Ronaldo’s motivation is currently being fueled by another milestone that would add yet another extraordinary chapter to his career. The Al-Nassr forward is closing in on 1,000 official career goals, a landmark that would make him the first player to reach the figure. Cristia
Bournemouth boss Marco Rose has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle at St James' Park (kick-off 12:30 BST). The Cherries boss said they "signed top players" in the summer transfer window and got the deals done early so he is "quite pleased with everything".
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
