Vasco Seabra expresses gratitude to Arouca: 'I felt it was time to take a new path'

Pulse Sports Team 14:04 - 04 October 2026

Manager leaves Arouca to take charge at Rio Ave: 'Today, I say a fond farewell to a very special club and special people'

Vasco Seabra is set to swap Arouca for Rio Ave, taking charge on Monday in Vila do Conde, but he has made sure not to depart without an emotional, heartfelt farewell filled with deep gratitude.

On Sunday, the 43-year-old manager posted a message on social media addressing the entire club structure, offering high praise to everyone who shared in his journey at Arouca.

Vasco Seabra's farewell message in full:

What a fantastic story we wrote together! Around two years ago, I arrived at a club that will leave a lasting mark on me forever. We experienced moments of struggle and hardship, but also great joy and achievements. Through it all, there was resilience, commitment, dedication, and unity. I carry with me profound admiration for president Carlos Pinho and general director Joel Pinho — for the trust they placed in us, the way we overcame challenges together, and the unity with which we celebrated every success. To the staff, thank you for your dedication, friendship, hard work, and daily energy. To the fans, thank you for the strength, understanding, and support I felt throughout. And to the players, the true architects of everything we built: thank you for creating a genuine family. For the mentality, high standards, determination, and quality of football. For the growth of each and every one of you. For the laughs, the hugs, the trust in your teammates, and the honesty in the bonds we forged. The courage and character with which we challenged ourselves to play and compete in every training session and match gave us an identity I am deeply proud of. We built something that goes far beyond football and will stay with me forever. Today, I say a fond farewell to a very special club and special people. It was a difficult, carefully weighed decision that demanded a great deal from me both personally and professionally. I felt it was the right time to take a new path, taking everything I lived and learned here with me. Our paths now diverge, but I will continue cheering for Arouca, its victories, and its community. Thank you all for everything. A heartfelt hug to you all.

Seabra was in his third campaign with Arouca, having guided the team to a 12th-place finish in 2024/2025 and 8th place last season. In the current campaign, Arouca have enjoyed a strong run, collecting 11 points from their opening seven league fixtures through three wins, two draws, and two defeats. That tally under Seabra's stewardship leaves the club sitting fifth in the league table.

With his tenure at Arouca concluded, Seabra now heads to Vila do Conde, having signed a contract until June 2029. His immediate priority will be to spark a swift revival and help Rio Ave overturn their slow start to the campaign.

Loading discussion…