The head coach of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national football team, Paulo Bento, has been relieved of his duties. This was announced by the UAE Football Association in an official statement.
Coincidence or strategic decision?
The UAE Football Federation did not disclose the reasons for the specialist's dismissal. The official statement only mentioned:
“We officially announce that we have terminated the contract with the coaching staff and its assistants.”
Interestingly, this decision was made during the decisive stage of the World Cup 2026 qualifying matches.
Despite the victory in the last match, dismissal
The UAE national team, managed by Bento, played their last match against North Korea on March 25. The team won 2:1 in a very challenging game.
The UAE national team is currently in 3rd place in Group A of the World Cup qualifiers with 13 points.
Bento's tenure in the UAE
55-year-old Paulo Bento was appointed as the head coach of the UAE national team in 2023. He had:
- 26 matches
- 14 wins, 6 draws, 6 losses
- His contract was supposed to last until 2026
Additionally, the specialist led the UAE to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Asian Cup, which is considered a good result for the team.
The UAE's next opponent – Uzbekistan
After Bento's dismissal, the UAE national team will play their next match in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Uzbekistan on June 5.
This match is crucial for the UAE, but it remains uncertain how the change in coaching will affect the team's performance.
Who will be the new coach?
It is currently unknown who will manage the UAE national team. The association is expected to announce an official decision in the coming days.
How will the Uzbekistan national team take advantage of this change? The answer to this question will be revealed in the clash on June 5.
