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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi club Al-Nassr fired coach Rudi Garcia on Thursday after less than a year in charge following media reports of dressing room tensions and just days before a crucial game against champions Al-Hilal.

"Al-Nassr can announce that head coach Rudi Garcia has left the Club by mutual agreement. The board and everyone at Al-Nassr would like to thank Rudi and his staff for their dedicated work during the past eight months," the club said in a statement.

Garcia, the former AS Roma and Olympique de Marseille coach, criticised the players after they drew 0-0 with lowly Al-Feiha last Sunday in another blow to their hopes of a first league title since 2019, saying: "The result is bad. I don't feel satisfied with the players".

Moreover, Ronaldo who was signed for more than 200 million euros in January, reportedlyÌýlooked disgruntled as he left the pitch, removing his captain's armband and even exchanging angry words with an opposition player, said the UAE daily The National.

Local media reported that Garcia's relationship with the players prompted the club to dismiss him, as well as dissatisfaction with his style of play.

The move comes as Ronaldo had reportedly spoke to the club's top bosses earlier this week, following his dissatisfaction with the performance against Al-Feiha.

Al-Nassr, have collected seven points from their last four league games, dropping to second place in the table, three points behind leaders Al-Ittihad with seven games left in the season.

Al-Nassr lost the Saudi Super Cup final to Al-Ittihad in January and have not beaten any of their closest rivals, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, or Al-Shabab, in the league this season.

(Reuters)