Carlos Carvalhal is the new coach of Sporting Braga

Carlos Carvalhal is the new coach of Sporting Braga, replacing Daniel Sousa, who was sacked after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Estrela da Amadora in the first round of the First Football League, the Minho club announced on Monday.

The 58-year-old coach, who has signed a two-year contract, is already training this Monday afternoon and will make his debut in Switzerland on Thursday in the second leg of the third qualifying round of the Europa League against Servette.

According to a statement published on the official website of Sporting Braga, the technical team of the Arsenalists will also include João Mário, João Meireles, Filipe Antunes, Thiago Pires, Eduardo Carvalho and Orlando Silva.

With a strong connection to Sporting Braga, both as a player, where he completed his training and played in the 80s and 90s of the last century, and as a coach, Carlos Carvalhal begins his third spell at the helm of the club after the 2006/07 season, in which he left midway through, as well as the recent 2020/21 (in which he won the Portuguese Cup) and 2021/22 seasons.

Carlos Carvalhal has not trained since February after leaving Greek side Olympiacos.

Announced as Sporting Braga’s coach for the current season in early April, following the departure of Artur Jorge to Brazilian side Botafogo, and presented in May, following the end of the championship, Daniel Sousa has led Minho’s team in four official matches.

The former Arouca coach has two wins against Israeli Maccabi Petah Tikva (2-0 at home and 5-0 away) in the second qualifying round of the Europa League and two draws – with Servette (0-0) and in their team. The league debut is against Estrela da Amador (1-1) on Sunday, both at home.

At the end of the First League game, after speaking in the press centre of Braga’s municipal stadium, Daniel Sousa was sacked by António Salvador.