They are decisions. And what decisions! After his abrupt departure from Boca, Miguel Angel Russo got a job. And petrodollars, surely. Already you won’t have to deal with Soccer Tips although the pressure of the sheiks always has its specific weight …
The truth is that, on the first Sunday in December, the world of soccer (Argentine at least) was moved with a news: Miguelo to Arab soccer. Russo al Al Nassr from Saudi Arabia. And to flip turbans, just …
In four months he got a job
His last game in front of Xeneize occurred on August 15, almost four months ago, when he lost 1-0 to Estudiantes. One day later gave the cheers. By then, although he had come from eliminating River in the round of 16 of the Argentine Cup (of which he is a finalist today), he had been eliminated by Atlético Mineiro from the Copa Libertadores, Boca’s great goal for 2021. And Although the series against Gaul was quite irregular (between more than controversial arbitration rulings and the general brawl in Mineirao), there was no patience and the tension between the parties forced a hasty goodbye. So what the numbers played in his favor.
The Pity Martínez prepared to return in Al Nassr.
From Venezuela to Saudi Arabia: the oil route
Russo sounded strong to take over the Venezuelan team, which was finally left in the hands of another Argentine: José Pekerman. Offers were not going to be lacking until the proposal came from Al Nassr, a Saudi Arab team from the capital Riyadh that has had Argentine coaches in its history dating back to 1955. Jorge Habegger, Julio Asad, Edgardo Bauza, Gustavo Costas and his namesake Quinteros They have graced the payroll of Creole DT’s. Flamboyant names such as Mano Menezes, René Higuita, Favio Cannavaro, Walter Zenga, Artur Jorge, Jorge da Silva and Pacho Maturana himself have also passed through its ranks.
Funes Mori will be directed by Russo at Al Nassr.
To stamp the passport again
It will be Miguel’s seventh experience outside of Argentina, after having directed in his more than 30 years as a coach in Chile (Universidad de Chile), Spain (Salamanca), Mexico (Morelia), Colombia (Millonarios), Peru (Alianza Lima) and Paraguay (Cerro Porteño). Russo will replace Portuguese Marcelo Salazar, who left the team in the local league – interrupted by the Arab Cup dispute – in seventh place, nine points behind leader Al Ittihad although with one game less.
Within the squad it will have two former riverplatenses such as Ramiro Funes Mori and Gonzalo Martínez, Pity himself, who is in the final stretch of your recovery after a ligament tear.
Al Nassr has nine Saudi league titles (the latest in the 2018-19 season), six King’s Cups and three Prince’s Cups. At the international level, he won the AFC Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup (Asian Conmebol) and two Gulf Champion Club Cups (titles of regional importance but not recognized by FIFA).
In the last edition of the Asian Champions League, he was eliminated in the semifinals, in the classic against Al Hilal, ultimately champion and qualified for the Club World Cup. During 2022 he will not play international competitions after his sixth place in the last local championship.
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