In a move aimed at strengthening its squad and reinforcing its ambitions to compete for titles, Sharjah FC announced on Wednesday the official signing of veteran Portuguese coach José Morais. Morais will take charge of the first team on a contract extending for the remainder of the current 2025-2026 season and continuing until the end of the 2026-2027 season, succeeding Romanian coach Cosmin Olăroiu.
Historical background and rich biography
This signing comes as Sharjah FC, known as "The King" and one of the oldest clubs in the UAE, seeks to return the team to domestic and continental glory. Morais is seen as the ideal choice for this stage thanks to his impressive resume and extensive experience across various footballing schools. His career is further bolstered by his role as assistant to renowned Portuguese coach José Mourinho during golden eras at major European clubs such as Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Chelsea, where he was part of teams that achieved remarkable success.
The importance of contracting and its expected impact
Domestically, Sharjah fans are hoping that Morais' experience will bring technical stability and a modern, effective style of football, enabling the team to compete strongly in the ADNOC Pro League and the President's Cup. Regionally, the Portuguese coach's deep knowledge of Asian football is a major strategic advantage, especially given the club's ambitions in the AFC Champions League. He has previously coached prominent clubs in the region, such as Al-Hilal, Al-Shabab, and Al-Hazm in Saudi Arabia, Al-Wahda in the UAE, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in South Korea, and Sepahan in Iran, giving him a thorough understanding of the nature of competitions and challenges on the continent.
A proven track record of achievements
Morais' career wasn't limited to gaining experience; it was also filled with titles that confirm his ability to achieve success. The Portuguese coach won six major titles during his career, most notably the league and cup double with Jeonbuk Hyundai in South Korea in 2019 and 2020. He also left a clear mark on Saudi football by winning the Saudi Professional League title with Al-Hilal in the 2021 season, and before that, he won the Saudi Super Cup with Al-Shabab in 2015. His most recent achievement was winning the Hadhfi Cup (Iranian Cup) with Sepahan in 2024, proving that he still possesses the winning mentality that Sharjah FC is looking for.
