FERNANDO Hierro is set to link-up with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr after leaving his job as sporting director of Chivas Guadalajara in Mexico.

The Spaniard, still held in the highest regard by Wanderers fans for a memorable year in England between 2004 and 2005, is due to take up a similar role in Saudia Arabia.

Hierro had been in Mexico since October 2022, and has helped rebuild the fortunes of one of the country’s most well-known and well-supported clubs.

The former Real Madrid star retired from playing after his short spell with Bolton and took up a coaching role at the Bernabeu, replacing Zinedine Zidane, eventually moving on to manage Oviedo two years later.

He moved away from management into a more administrative role with the Spanish national team but then found himself front and centre once again after the sacking of head coach Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the 2018 World Cup. Hierro got Spain out of the group stages undefeated but then lost to hosts Russia on a penalty shootout in the last 16.

He had been in an ambassadorial role for Real until linking up with Chivas a couple of years ago, helping to restore their reputation as challengers to the league title.

Hierro now looks set to return to the Middle East, where he played briefly in Qatar for Al-Rayyan before being convinced to play in the Premier League by Sam Allardyce.

“Club Guadalajara informs that Fernando Hierro spoke with the management to communicate his decision to take another professional opportunity outside the country, and therefore, starting today, he will no longer serve as sports director,” said a press release from Chivas yesterday.

“We want to thank Fernando for his work, as he laid the foundations for an integral sports project that is the path to follow.”

Ronaldo, 39, helped Al-Nassr to second place in the Saudi league last season with a club and league record 35 goals. He has scored 64 goals in 69 games in all competitions since joining on a free transfer in January 2023 after leaving Manchester United.