Return of a Tactical Maestro: Daniel Carreño Set for a Saudi Pro League Comeback with Riyadh
11 November 2025
Return to the Saudi Pro League
Saudi press reports indicate that Uruguayan coach Daniel Carreño, the former Al-Nassr manager, is poised to sign with Riyadh and return to the Saudi Pro League. He arrives amid a period of struggle for the club, which recently suffered a 4-1 defeat to Gulf and previously fell 5-1 to Al-Nassr this season.
Under the stewardship of Spanish coach Javier Caixinha, Riyadh also exited the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup early with a 2-0 loss to Al-Fath, tightening the sense that additions are needed to stabilize the campaign.
Riyadh currently sits 12th in the league with 8 points, just one point behind the 10th- and 11th-placed clubs Al-Khoolod and Al-Ettifaq, and one point behind 13th-placed Al-Shabab. A rapid, disciplined upgrade could be the spark they are seeking.
A Storied Saudi Career
Carreño’s Saudi credentials are highlighted by a lengthy, varied resume in the Kingdom. He began at Al-Nassr from 2012 to 2014, coaching 58 matches and winning the league title and the Crown Prince Cup, marking a period of notable success.
He later returned to Saudi football in 2017 with Al-Shabab, managing 22 games before a subsequent brief stint back at Al-Nassr, where he oversaw nine games. His coaching journey then took him to Al-Wehda for the 2019-2020 season, where he led the team in 26 matches, though he did not reproduce the same level of triumph as at Al-Nassr.
Following this, Carreño took charge of Al-Hazm in the 2023-2024 season, and most recently guided Al-Wehda in the prior season before heading back to his homeland to lead Montevideo Wanderers. His Saudi spell is widely remembered for the intensity and gravitas he brought to any squad under his command.
Tactical Profile and Current Squad
Carreño is regarded as a tactician who blends a robust defensive base with disciplined organizational structure and a quick transition to attack. He has often favored formations such as 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2, emphasizing compact midfields and heavy use of wide players to exploit spaces behind opposition backlines.
His teams typically operate with high collective effort, prioritizing structure and hard work over flash for its own sake. When possible, he leverages direct passing and long balls to release pacey forwards and relies on a compact midfield to control the tempo and shut down transitions.
In terms of personnel, Riyadh’s current squad features experienced veterans and bright youngsters across defense, midfield, and attack. The defense has endured periods of volatility, but Carreño’s emphasis on discipline could help harness and elevate the group. The attack hinges on the individual quality of a few forwards and creative midfielders who can unlock tight defenses with intelligent movement and timing.
As the league table remains tight, Riyadh will be hoping Carreño can translate his long Saudi experience into immediate results and consistency. If his plan lands, it could reframe expectations around their season and reaffirm the value of stability and grit in a league known for its competitive edge.
Punchlines time: If Carreño can install that kind of solidity, Riyadh might finally stop giving us cliffhangers and start giving us curtains—the kind you can actually close. And if the defense finally clicks, the offside rule may need caffeine, not a whistle, to keep up with him. If this works, even the opposing fans will tip their hats and say, well played, coach, well played—now pass me some popcorn for the next chapter.
