Portugal set for shake-up
Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Article summary
Reports from Portugal suggest the Sweden match will be Agostinho Oliveira's last in charge.
Article body
Press speculation
Portuguese press speculation is that Manuel José, the former Boavista FC trainer who quit Egyptian club Al-Ahly in the summer, will take over next week and name Vítor Oliveira and António Sousa, respective coaches of Gil Vicente FC and SC Beira Mar, and Rui Oliveira as his assistants.
Presidential election
Meanwhile, Agostinho Oliveira could return, as arranged, to his role as Portugal Under-21 coach. Oliveira was chosen as caretaker following namesake António Oliveira's sacking after the FIFA World Cup finals and in the build-up to last Sunday's FPF presidential election, which was won by Gilberto Madaíl.
'The next few days'
Madaíl, who was re-elected unopposed, has promised to deliver a "Portuguese" coach for the EURO 2004™ hosts "in the next few days", though an announcement is more likely to follow the first meeting of his new committee on 22 October.
Sousa the manager
The last piece in the jigsaw is thought to be Paulo Sousa, the former Portuguese international midfield player, who could be appointed manager of the Selecção, liaising between players and the FPF.
African experience
Manuel José won the African Champions League and Super Cup with Al-Ahly and the Taça de Portugal with Boavista in the 1990s. Portugal face Sweden in Gothenburg tomorrow night.
