Jorge Jesus has done it again, winning the 24th title of his career in the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr.
Jesus, a serial winner in every country where he’s coached, overcame the might of former side Al Hilal to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s trophy drought in the Middle East.
Speaking post-match, he confirmed it was very much job done, and that he’d be heading back to a former side next season.
“When I accepted this challenge, when Cristiano Ronaldo and Semedo invited me, I knew it would be the most difficult challenge of my coaching career,” he said.
“To win this championship, we had to be much better than our opponents. As I told Cris, I’m going to help you become champion and then I’ll go on with my life.”
Asked about the ‘Jesus effect’ he responded: “It’s not just in Saudi Arabia. I won in Portugal, in Brazil, Fenerbahce, Al Hilal… The only country where I wasn’t league champion was Fenerbahce…
“Maybe I have a story to finish at Fenerbahce. It’s one of the possibilities. I’ll think about it.
“I’m going to Portugal for a few days of vacation. Then I plan to go to Brazil for a few days, see my friends. Next year we’ll see where I end up.”
A reporter then followed up by asking if Fener fans can be excited about him returning.
“They can,” he said. “There has already been an interested party.
“Not only Fenerbahce, another Turkish team made me an offer. There are three big teams in Turkey: Fenerbahce , Galatasaray and Besiktas.
“Of those three, it was two. The second team is still a secret.”
However, Jesus was then asked about going back to Benfica to replace Jose Mourinho and explained why that won’t be happening.
“Let’s imagine I were to return to Portugal now, which is impossible,” he said.
“It would be for sporting reasons, because financially there’s no chance.
“I earn more in a month than in a year in Portugal with any Portuguese team, and I’m not bothered anymore.
“It’s one of my regrets; I won many titles at Benfica, in Turkey I had a stadium always chanting my name, today they saw it here too, the same thing in Brazil.
“In Portugal I won so many titles at Benfica, but this never happened.
“It’s out of the question. Benfica is a great club, I’m very proud to have coached Benfica, I’m the coach with the most titles at the club, but at this moment it’s out of the question.”
Jesus then finished with praise for his captain Cristiano Ronaldo and his full-time tears.
He commented: “He has a great passion for football. I told him: ‘I’m only accepting this project because of you, otherwise I wouldn’t come. We’re both going to win and you’re going to leave here with a title.’
“That’s what happened. We haven’t had much time to talk yet, he’s tired, and so am I.
“When I spoke with Cristiano Ronaldo, initially they invited me to sign a two-year contract, but I only wanted to do one year. That’s what I always do at the clubs I’m at.
“It was a very tough championship, you have to make decisions, often putting your body on the line, and it’s very tiring. It was a wonderful year, I have to enjoy it elsewhere.”
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