Official: Vítor Severino appointed new Arouca head coach

Vítor Severino has been appointed as the new head coach of Arouca.

The 43-year-old Portuguese tactician, born in Peniche, was chosen by the club's board led by Carlos Pinho to succeed Vasco Seabra, who departed for Rio Ave after the Vila do Conde side triggered his €1 million release clause.

"Futebol Clube de Arouca announces that it has reached an agreement with Vítor Severino to take over as head coach of the professional squad. The 43-year-old takes on his first project as manager after a successful decade as an assistant coach at domestic and international clubs such as Shakhtar Donetsk, Botafogo, Al-Nassr, and most recently Grêmio," read the club's official statement.

Following several years working in youth development at Académica and FC Porto, Vítor Severino joined Luís Castro's backroom staff and followed the renowned manager across various spells in Portugal and abroad: Rio Ave, Chaves, Vitória de Guimarães, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), Al-Duhail (Qatar), Botafogo and Grêmio (both Brazil), Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia), and Al Wasl (UAE). Severino now embarks on his first solo managerial venture and expressed his gratitude upon arriving in Arouca: "First of all, I would like to thank the club for this opportunity. I wanted my first experience as head coach to be at a club where I felt welcome, and Futebol Clube de Arouca provided that from our very first contact," he told the club's media.

Vítor Severino begins work with the squad this Monday, with his official touchline debut scheduled for next Sunday (20:30) when Arouca host Estrela da Amadora on Matchday 8 of the Primeira Liga.