Paulo Sousa, former coach of Flamengo, is back on the international football scene as the new coach of Shabab Al Ahli, a team based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The coach will be reunited with striker Mateusão, with whom he worked at the Rio de Janeiro club.
The 53-year-old coach Portuguese had been without a club since his departure from Salernitana in Italy. Now, he faces a new challenge in international football, after accumulating experience in clubs such as the Poland national team, Bordeaux and Tianjin Quanjian, in China.
Sousa had a recent stint at Cavalluccix, where he picked up just five wins in 25 matches, resulting in his departure from the Italian team.
تعلن شركة شباب الأهلي لكرة القدم عن تعاقدها مع المدرب البرتغا�لبرتغال �ي باولو سوزا – 53 عاما وذلك لقيادة الإدارة الفنية للفريق الأول للموسم 2024/2025 .
تتمنى شركة شباب الأهلي التوفيق للمدرب لتحقيق أهداف وطموحات النادي ومحبيه وجماهيره الكبيرة .. مرحبا باولو في معقل الفرسان .. … pic.twitter.com/N0Ql3c2MJS
— نادي شباب الأهلي (@Shabab_AlAhliFC) June 30, 2024
The coach arrived at Flamengo with high expectations in December 2021. The club invested in signings such as defender Pablo, striker Marinho and left-back Ayrton Lucas to strengthen the team.
However, the performance on the field did not live up to expectations. Flamengo was runner-up in the Supercopa do Brasil against Atlético-MG and the Campeonato Carioca against Fluminense, which generated criticism and increasing pressure in Gávea.
In 42 matches played, the team obtained 13 wins, 12 draws and 17 losses, achieving a success rate of 40.5%.
See below photo gallery of coach Paulo Sousa:
