Tirana, January 10 (BNA): The Albanian Football Association has appointed Sylvinho as coach of the national team, with the aim of qualifying for the European Championship 2024.
The 48-year-old Brazilian has signed a contract that will see him play the 2024 European Championships in Germany.
“Football needs your soul and your heart there. That’s why we are here,” Sylvinho told a news conference after signing the 18-month contract.
Sylvinho will replace Italian Eduardo Riga, who led the Albanians for three and a half years and 30 matches, winning half of them, Reuters reports.
Sylvinho, a former left back, played for Barcelona, Arsenal and also briefly for the Brazil national team. He ended his football career with Manchester City in 2010.
Sylvinho coached French clubs Lyon and Corinthians in Brazil. He was an assistant coach to Tete in Brazil and Roberto Mancini in Inter Milan.
In the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Albania plays in Group E with Poland, the Czech Republic, Moldova and the Faroe Islands.
“We know it is a very balanced and complex group and we will aim to qualify for the European Championship finals,” Sylvinho said.
Albania faces Poland on March 27, but Sylvinho will set up a friendly beforehand to get a feel of the Albanian players.
Sylvinho brought with him the Brazilian Doriva and the Argentine Pablo Zabaleta as assistant coaches.
“The players of the Albanian national team must believe in themselves,” said Zabaleta. “The reason we are here is because we see their potential, that we can achieve success, that we can do something big.”
Albania played its first major tournament at the 2016 European Championships under Italian coach Gianni De Biasi. Did not qualify for Euro 2020.