Strasbourg triggers €4M release clause to appoint Hugo Oliveira as head coach
French Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, owned by the BlueCo group (also owner of Chelsea), is set to appoint Portuguese coach Hugo Oliveira as their new manager by paying his €4 million release clause to Famalicão. The 47-year-old, who led Famalicão to a 5th-place finish in Portugal, replaces Gary O'Neil. Strasbourg finished 8th in Ligue 1 last season and reached the Conference League semi-finals. Famalicão is expected to hire veteran coach Carlos Carvalhal as Oliveira's replacement.
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Strasbourg: Hugo Oliveira's First Words as New Coach
Hugo Oliveira was officially presented on July 12, 2026, as the new head coach of Racing Club de Strasbourg, signing a three-season contract until 2029. The Portuguese coach, a former Premier League assistant, expressed happiness and ambition in his first public remarks, speaking in French and English. He emphasized his desire for a long-term stay, calling Strasbourg a historic club with a strong Alsatian identity. Oliveira credited conversations with club president Marc Keller and sporting director David Weir as crucial to his decision, describing himself as 'the missing piece of the puzzle.' He arrives with four collaborators specializing in post-formation development.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertHugo Oliveira Appointed New Head Coach of Strasbourg
Strasbourg has appointed Hugo Oliveira as their new head coach, replacing Gary O'Neil who left for Ipswich Town. The 47-year-old Portuguese coach joins from Falamicao, where he had been coaching since December 2024 for his first head coach role, with a record of 25 wins, 16 draws, and 17 losses. Oliveira, a former assistant to Marco Silva at Hull City, Watford, and Everton, was officially announced by the Alsatian club on July 12, 2026. The club described him as a promising emerging coach known for an attacking, possession-based style with high pressing. He was chosen over Wilfried Nancy, who had been tipped for the role. The appointment fills the vacancy left by O'Neil's departure at the start of the summer transfer window.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertStrasbourg Appoints Hugo Oliveira as New Head Coach
RC Strasbourg Alsace has chosen Hugo Oliveira, the Portuguese manager of Famalicao, as their new head coach following Gary O'Neil's departure to Ipswich Town. Oliveira, 47, won a three-way race that included Wilfried Nancy to take over the Ligue 1 side. He previously served as an assistant to Marco Silva at Hull City, Watford, Everton, and Fulham, and was a goalkeeping coach for the Portuguese national team during the 2010 World Cup. Oliveira is expected to arrive in Strasbourg on July 12 to sign a contract and lead his first training session on Monday. Strasbourg finished 8th in Ligue 1 last season and was eliminated in the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League by Rayo Vallecano. The club's leadership, including president Marc Keller and BlueCo, aims to return to European competition. Oliveira left Famalicao in 5th place in the Portuguese league, just three points off a Conference League qualifying spot.
Home Football - actualitésStrasbourg Appoints Hugo Oliveira as New Head Coach
Strasbourg has selected Hugo Oliveira, the 47-year-old Portuguese coach of Famalicao, as their new manager to replace Gary O'Neil, who left for Ipswich two weeks ago. Oliveira was preferred over Wilfried Nancy and will be acquired for a transfer fee slightly exceeding €2 million, below his €4 million release clause. Former assistant to Marcos Silva at Fulham, Everton, Watford, and Hull City, Oliveira has been Famalicao's coach since December 2024. He led training on Friday but missed a friendly on Saturday. He is expected to arrive in Alsace on Sunday with his staff to sign a contract of undisclosed duration, lead training on Monday, and begin the pre-season camp in Faro on July 19. Famalicao is expected to replace him with Carlos Carvalhal.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuStrasbourg Appoints Hugo Oliveira as New Head Coach
Strasbourg has selected Hugo Oliveira, the 47-year-old Portuguese coach of Famalicao, as their new manager, replacing Gary O'Neil who left for Ipswich two weeks ago. Oliveira was preferred over Wilfried Nancy and will be acquired for a transfer fee slightly exceeding €2 million, below his €4 million release clause. Formerly an assistant to Marcos Silva at Fulham, Everton, Watford, and Hull City, Oliveira has been Famalicao's coach since December 2024. He led training on Friday but missed a friendly on Saturday and is expected in Alsace on Sunday to sign a contract of undisclosed duration. He will lead training on Monday, and Strasbourg's pre-season camp in Faro begins July 19. Famalicao is expected to replace him with Carlos Carvalhal.
Mercato 2025 : l'actu des transferts footHugo Oliveira Leaves Famalicão, Carlos Carvalhal Set to Take Over
Hugo Oliveira has ceased coaching Famalicão during their first pre-season test as his departure to French club Strasbourg is finalized. The Portuguese coach has a €4 million release clause, and negotiations between the clubs are ongoing. Famalicão has already identified Carlos Carvalhal as the preferred successor, with Carvalhal and Tarantini leading the succession race. Carvalhal, who recently failed to reach an agreement with Spanish club Almería, is now poised to take over the Liga Betclic side. The article confirms Oliveira's imminent exit and the club's proactive search for a replacement.
RecordCarlos Carvalhal Chosen to Replace Hugo Oliveira at Famalicão
Portuguese club Famalicão is set to appoint Carlos Carvalhal as their new head coach, following the imminent departure of current manager Hugo Oliveira to French side Strasbourg. Oliveira has a €4 million release clause, and negotiations between the clubs are ongoing. Carvalhal, who recently failed to reach an agreement with Spanish club Almería, is the leading candidate alongside Tarantini to take over. The article also notes that midfielder Gustavo Sá remains at Famalicão amid increased midfield competition.
RecordHugo Oliveira Set to Become New Strasbourg Coach
Portuguese coach Hugo Oliveira is on the verge of leaving Famalicão to join Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola. The French club, owned by the BlueCo group which also owns Chelsea, is preparing to trigger Oliveira's four million euro release clause. The 47-year-old coach will take charge of a Strasbourg side that finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season and reached the semi-finals of the Conference League. Oliveira was also on Wolverhampton's radar, but they chose César Peixoto instead. At Famalicão, Oliveira's departure is expected to pave the way for the appointment of Carlos Carvalhal, a 60-year-old free agent who was previously in talks with Almería, a club co-owned by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertStrasbourg Triggers €4 Million Release Clause to Sign Famalicão Coach Hugo Oliveira
According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, owned by the BlueCo group (which also owns Chelsea), is set to pay a €4 million release clause to sign 47-year-old coach Hugo Oliveira from Portuguese side Famalicão. Oliveira, who has spent one and a half seasons at Famalicão, will compete in Ligue 1 next season. Strasbourg finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League. The club had also considered Moreirense coach Vasco Botelho da Costa but chose Oliveira. Oliveira was previously a candidate for Wolves' Premier League return plan, but Wolves signed César Peixoto instead. Famalicão is now considering hiring veteran free-agent coach Carlos Carvalhal, 60, to replace Oliveira. Carvalhal recently failed to reach an agreement with Almería, co-owned by Cristiano Ronaldo. Famalicão management, led by Miguel Ribeiro, aims to finalize Carvalhal's signing quickly as pre-season preparations have begun.
虎扑 - 足球Strasbourg: Portuguese Coach Hugo Oliveira Emerges as Leading Candidate
French Ligue 1 club Strasbourg is close to appointing a new head coach to replace Gary O'Neil. While Kjetil Knutsen appears out of contention and Wilfried Nancy remains a possibility, Portuguese coach Hugo Oliveira has emerged as the frontrunner. According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, confirmed by L'Équipe, the 47-year-old Oliveira, currently under contract with Famalicao until 2028, is very well placed for the role. He recently finished 5th in the Portuguese league. Strasbourg is expected to pay around 4 million euros to trigger his release clause. Oliveira previously served as an assistant to Marco Silva at Fulham, Everton, Watford, and Hull City. An announcement is expected in the coming hours.
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