Nelo Vingada, the former Saudi Arabian national team manager, believes his compatriot Jorge Jesus deserved better treatment during his time in charge of Al-Hilal.
Jesus guided Al-Hilal from 2023 to 2025, securing the league, the King's Cup, two Saudi Super Cup triumphs, and a record 34-match winning streak across all competitions.
Nevertheless, Al-Hilal dismissed him for failing to secure the AFC Champions League, and the Portuguese boss immediately moved to rivals Al-Nassr.
On Tuesday, he will lead Al-Nassr in a decisive Matchday 32 summit clash against Al-Hilal that could crown the winner with the Saudi Pro League title.
Al-Nassr currently lead the standings on 82 points from 32 matches, five clear of Al-Hilal, who have played one game fewer, with only one round left after this derby.
Asked whether he felt Jesus had been treated unfairly at Al-Hilal, the coach who led Saudi Arabia to victory in the 1996 Asian Cup emphasised that his compatriot "deserved better treatment".
In a later interview with Koora, Vingada stated, "Jesus did an amazing job with Al-Hilal, achieving a string of victories, fantastic results and an exceptional season; it is difficult to replicate what he achieved with the team."
"I know Al-Hilal is the biggest club in Saudi Arabia and the pressure there is immense, but a coach who achieves what he did deserves better treatment, especially given the brilliant work he and his staff have done."
Vingada concluded, "But that's football, and that's life in the game; sometimes a manager does a great job, yet in the end only results are remembered, no matter how good the work."