Al-Nassr have completed a significant coaching appointment, bringing in Marcos Soares to lead their Under-21 squad in the Joy Elite League next season. The Brazilian tactician arrives with considerable experience in Saudi youth development, having previously worked with Al-Hilal and the national age-group teams. His appointment mirrors the club's strategy of recruiting proven coaches who have already succeeded in the kingdom.
Soares will oversee a rebuild after Al-Nassr's Under-21 side exited the previous Joy Elite League campaign at the quarter-final stage, suffering elimination to Al-Fateh across two legs. The coaching staff assembled around him includes Fernando Junior as goalkeeping coach, Portugal's Miguel Arias as first assistant, and Badr Aba Al-Hussein in a supporting role. This blend of Brazilian, Portuguese, and Saudi expertise reflects modern football's increasingly international approach to youth development.
Soares' Track Record in Saudi Football
The new Al-Nassr boss first entered Saudi football in 2021 when Al-Hilal entrusted him with their Under-17 programme. He progressed to coach the national Under-19 team in 2023 before taking charge of the Under-20 squad in 2024. His most significant achievement came with the Saudi youth national team, capturing the West Asia Under-17 Youth Championship and securing qualification for the Under-20 World Cup finals in Chile 2025—a tournament that will showcase his young talents on the global stage.
This appointment echoes Al-Nassr's successful recruitment of Jorge Jesus, the Portuguese manager who previously won the Roshn League with Al-Hilal before delivering the title to Riyadh's other giant last season. Jesus demonstrated how coaches with Saudi experience could seamlessly transition between the kingdom's elite clubs. Soares now carries similar credentials, having established credibility within the local system while maintaining the tactical and developmental standards expected at the highest level.
Al-Nassr's Under-21 project represents a critical pathway for player development in the Saudi Pro League. Success next season could accelerate the emergence of homegrown talent and provide the club with strategic advantages in their ongoing competition with Al-Hilal across all team levels.
