Latest news with #PauloSousa
The National
29-05-2025
- General
- The National
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid congratulates Shabab Al Ahli on historic season
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, hosted the management, players and staff of Shabab Al Ahli in recognition of their stellar 2024/25 campaign. The Dubai club enjoyed success on four fronts, capturing their ninth UAE Pro League title, the UAE President's Cup for the 11th time, the UAE Super Cup and the UAE-Qatar Super Cup. Led by their Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa, the squad attended the ceremony at Zabeel Palace on Thursday and showed off their impressive haul of silverware. Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the players, technical and administrative staff, as well as board members on a historic season. Addressing the players, he commended their determination and team spirit, noting that while winning the league was a significant achievement, maintaining that position is the greater challenge. Sheikh Mohammed joined members of the team for a commemorative photo, encouraging them to sustain their high performance and expressing confidence in their ability to represent the UAE in continental competitions next season. As domestic champions, Shabab Al Ahli qualified for the AFC Champions League Elite. The reception was also attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Inspired by Sousa's arrival, Shabab Al Ahli coasted to the league title, finishing 13 points ahead of closest challengers Sharjah. They won 19 of their 26 games, drawing six and losing just once. President's Cup glory came in May at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi as rivals Sharjah were edged out 2-1. Yuri Cesar scored either side of half time after Marcos Meloni had put Sharjah in front with a 14th-minute strike. 'It really was momentous for the club, fans, players and also for me in my first season,' Sousa said after the game. 'Personally, I couldn't have wished for a better first season here. Full credit to my staff and the players who gave everything on the pitch and for the fans who stood behind us at every game.' The club narrowly missed out on making it five titles in one season when they were beaten 2-1 by Al Jazira in the final of the ADIB League Cup.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira 'on the verge of being sacked' at Genoa as his managerial career continues to spiral
Time is running out for Patrick Vieira as Genoa manager, according to reports from Italy. The former Arsenal midfielder's side have won just two of their last 11 matches and sit in 13th position in the Serie A table. Genoa did, however, pull off a creditable 2-2 draw at title-chasing Napoli on Sunday after which Vieira was evasive when quizzed about his future. 'There is talk of many players or coaches leaving, I am thinking about finishing the season on a positive note,' the 48-year-old said. 'This is the objective now and we have demonstrated it with Milan (a 2-1 home defeat last week) and Napoli. There will be time to think about such things after the season is over.' And TuttoMercatoWeb are reporting that when the season ends, so will Vieira's time in the Italian Riviera. The 48-year-old made a promising start at Crystal Palace before things declined rapidly The outlet claims that Genoa are already lining up former Fiorentina boss Paulo Sousa, currently coaching Shabab Al-Ahli in the UAE, as Vieira's replacement. It's set to be the latest disappointment for Vieira in what was once a promising managerial career. After finishing his playing career at Man City, the Frenchman's first managerial post was at New York City FC. The Major League Soccer side are part of City Football Group founded by Man City owner Sheikh Mansour. Vieira won many admirers during his two-and-a-half-year stint with NYCFC, guiding to the club from 17th in 2015 to a fourth-place finish in his first season and then second the following year. The Arsenal 'Invincible' was even tipped to replace Arsene Wenger when the Gunners' boss left the Emirates in 2018. Instead, Vieira went to Ligue 1 club Nice where he achieved seventh and fifth-placed finishes during his two full seasons which persuaded Crystal Palace to make him Roy Hodgson's successor in 2021. His stint at Selhurst Park start well as he led the Eagles to a 12th-placed finish in his first season, earning praise for an attacking style. Things declined sharply in his second season, however, and he was sacked after a run of 12 games without a win with the club scoring just 21 goals in 27 matches. Vieira then served just one year of a three-year deal at Strasbourg before stepping down and taking up his position at Genoa four months later.
Sharjah 24
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
APL round 24 focuses on AFC Champions League qualification
High stakes for AFC Champions League spots The 24th round, starting tomorrow and played over two days, will witness fierce clashes among top-ranking teams vying for spots in next season's AFC Champions League. Shabab Al Ahli has already secured both the league and cup titles, leaving second place as the key qualifying position. At the bottom of the table, teams are also battling to avoid relegation alongside Al Orouba, who are already confirmed to drop to the First Division. Sharjah vs. Al Ain: Key clash for second place The round kicks off with a top-tier clash between second-place Sharjah (45 points) and fifth-place Al Ain (37 points) at Sharjah Stadium. Sharjah, still recovering from their loss in the President's Cup final, aim to solidify their hold on second place and secure AFC qualification. Al Ain coach Vladimir Ivic commented, 'We are not satisfied with our points tally, but we will continue working until the end of the season.' Shabab Al Ahli host Al Nasr in a bid to finish strong On Tuesday, newly crowned champions Shabab Al Ahli will host sixth-placed Al Nasr at Al Maktoum Stadium. Following a loss to Al Wasl, coach Paulo Sousa stressed the importance of maintaining focus. 'We must continue fighting until the final whistle, regardless of winning titles,' Sousa said. 'I am proud of what we have achieved.' Al Wahda aim to solidify third against relegation-threatened Dibba Al Hisn Third-place Al Wahda (41 points) will take on 13th-place Dibba Al Hisn (16 points) at Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Stadium. Dibba Al Hisn are just one point above last place and desperately need a win to avoid relegation. Al Wasl face bottom-club Al Orouba Al Wasl, fourth in the standings with 40 points, will meet bottom-placed Al Orouba (10 points), who are already relegated, in what should be a crucial game for Al Wasl's top-four ambitions. Al Jazira seek late surge against Al Bataeh Seventh-placed Al Jazira (33 points) will face 12th-placed Al Bataeh (24 points) at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium. Al Jazira are still eyeing a jump into fourth place and potential continental qualification. Bani Yas and Khorfakkan meet in mid-table clash Eleventh-placed Bani Yas (25 points) will host eighth-placed Khor Fakkan (32 points) in a relatively lower-stakes matchup on Monday, with both teams looking to end the season on a strong note. Ajman and Ittihad Kalba wrap up the round Rashid bin Saeed Stadium will host the final match of Round 24 on Tuesday, with tenth-placed Ajman (27 points) taking on ninth-placed Ittihad Kalba (28 points) in a close mid-table encounter.
Al Etihad
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Focus of UAE clubs shifts back to Pro League and ACL
11 May 2025 20:29 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)Shabab Al Ahli swept all but one title this season after the 48th UAE President's Cup glory against Sharjah in Abu Dhabi, and focus now settles on the secondary battles at both ends of the ADNOC Pro league as well as Sharjah's last chance for a cup title on the Asian all-conquering Shabab Al Ahli will gallop into the end-of-season matches in the ADNOC Pro League, having secured the title with three matchdays to spare. They won four titles – the UAE Super Cup and the UAE-Qatar Super Cup in addition to the above-mentioned – while missing out on the ADIB Cup."This season has exceeded expectations," said head coach Paulo Sousa. "Since our pre-season camp, I had asked for the players to aim for the titles, and the team has delivered brilliantly," Sousa now turns to the race for AFC Champions League qualification and the battle to avoid relegation as Round 24 of the Pro League kicks off on won their ninth domestic league title with Sharjah a distant 11 points behind, Shabab Al Ahli visit sixth-placed Al Nasr on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Sharjah have very little time to turn around from Friday's disappointment and the strain of going head to head against a team like Shabab for a record seven times this season are in another final, the Asian Champions League (ACL) Two, and are up against Singapore's Lion City Sailors for the title clash as visitors in the island state on May 18. But before that is another key clash with fifth-placed Al Ain, who will come hard to get to the third place from the remaining three games to get back into the ACL Elite main draw."We need to close the chapter on the [President's] Cup and focus on the upcoming challenges in the league and ACL," said Sharjah goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani. Addressing the media in the post-match conference, he quoted the manager saying Olaroiu has "asked the players to hold their heads high and come back stronger to win the Asian title."Al Ain coach Vladimir Ivic, who took over from Hernan Crespo mid-season, has expressed dissatisfaction with recent results but remains confident: "We've had time to prepare, and we're going in with a winning mindset."Third-placed Al Wahda (41 points) could benefit most in this round, facing second-from-bottom Dibba Al Hosn (16 points), who are one point away from relegation. Coach Drako Milanic emphasised the need for full focus in the final matches to secure a top Wasl (40 points) in fourth will also look to stay in the hunt with a comfortable fixture in last-placed Al Orouba (10 points), already relegated. Seventh-placed Al Jazira (33 points) also remain in contention for AFC Champions League 2 qualification. They host twelfth-placed Al Bataeh on Wednesday. Coach Hussein Ammouta said, despite injury setbacks to the squad plaguing their season, the team aims to finish strong after their recent 1-1 draw with Al Ain.
Arab News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Yuri Cesar the hero as Shabab Al-Ahli beat Sharjah to take President's Cup
DUBAI: Brazilian winger Yuri Cesar emerged as the hero for all-conquering Shabab Al-Ahli as his brace of goals secured a come-from-behind 2-1 President's Cup final victory against Sharjah and the fourth trophy of an unforgettable campaign. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Paulo Sousa's troops walked out at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Friday fresh from securing ADNOC Pro League glory with three matches remaining, adding to their UAE-Qatar Challenge Shield and Emaar Super Cup triumphs. But their latest pursuit of glory got off to a tricky start when UAE utility player Marcus Meloni slotted in an early cross for The Kings, led by Cosmin Olaroiu. Ex-Flamengo youngster Cesar levelled in stunning fashion deep into first-half injury time with a superb free-kick, before a dizzying solo run and precise low strike from the edge of the penalty box proved decisive just past the hour mark. Sousa told Abu Dhabi Sports: 'Myself and my staff decided to come here (last summer) because we felt we had the ambition from the club, then we built it up. We deserve all these treasures; it was amazing. 'It's a very difficult team to play (Sharjah). They are really mature; without too many things they create lots of difficulties because they are really compact and determined in individual challenges.' Under the guidance of Sousa — and including the likes of Iran's superstar Sardar Azmoun and emerging UAE goalkeeper Hamad Al-Meqbaali in their ranks — Shabab Al-Ahli have been this term's dominant force. They were only denied a clean domestic sweep after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Al-Jazira in last month's ADIB Cup showpiece. Shabab Al-Ahli are now the President's Cup's most successful team with 11 titles, one more than Sharjah. Friday's clash represented another near miss for their opponents, who are on course to finish a distant second in the top flight.
