Saudi champions Al-Hilal have reportedly reached an agreement with the Portuguese coach Jose Morais to replace Rogerio Micale, according to the Arabic sports daily Arriyadiyah.
According to close sources, Morais was chosen due to his vast coaching experience in the region, having previously held roles in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hazm (2007-08) and Al-Shabab (2014-15) — where he won the 2014 Saudi Super Cup — and more recently with South Korean club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, with whom he won the K League in 2019 and 2020. His success there earned him the K League Manager of the Year award, but he was eventually dismissed from his job last December.
Morais earned acclaim as assistant to Jose Mourinho at several clubs, particularly Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
Now he could be replacing the Brazilian Micale, who was given the role on an interim basis in February after the departure of Razvan Lucescu. Micale had been brought in December 2020 to coach Al-Hilal’s Under-19 squad.
Despite losing 2-0 to Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai in their last Group A fixture, Al-Hilal on Friday qualified to the Round of 16 of the 2021 AFC Champions League, despite losing 2-0 to Shabab Al-Ahly in the sixth and final round of Group A matches, taking advantage of Al-Ahly and Al-Duhail 1-1 draw.
Al Hilal now must prepare for the top of the table clash against Al-Shabab at Prince Khalid bin Sultan Stadium on Friday night, with both teams equal on 48 points with three rounds of the Saudi Professional League left.
