Former Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce has supported Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus over Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent departure from the national team.
Allardyce described Jesus as brave enough to tell the forward to leave the team after Ronaldo walked out of camp ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark.
The Al-Nassr striker had accused the manager of being dishonest about his involvement in the team’s matches.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce said: “We have to remember that Ronaldo was moved on at Manchester United to get rid of him.
“So, the manager had to bite the bullet and take all the criticism because he felt that, in the system he wanted to play, Ronaldo was already too old to offer what he was looking for.
“Sooner or later, someone has to say it, and this manager [Jorge Jesus] is brave enough to tell him he needs to go.”
