July 26 – Albania have retained Brazil’s Sylvinho as their national team manager, extending his contract until the end of 2025.
The Brazilian led Albania at Euro 2024, but in the group of death with eventual winners Spain, then defending champions Italy and Croatia his side managed just one point. They lost against both Spain and Italy, but drew 2-2 against Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia.
Sylvinho was happy with what his team achieved in Germany and promised that Albania would return to major finals. The Albanian FA have rewarded him for his work and expressed their confidence in the Brazilian by extending his contract with the 2025 Nations League and World Cup qualifying on the horizon.
Albania have never participated in the World Cup, but the 2026 finals will feature 48 teams for the first time and the Eastern European country is keen on clinching a ticket. The federation said: “After the success qualifying for the Euro finals, the main goal now is a historic qualification for World Cup 2026.”
Before taking charge of Albania in 2023, Sylvinho managed Lyon in France and Corinthians in Brazil. He was an assistant to both Brazil’s Tite and Roberto Mancini at Inter Milan. As a player, he represented both FC Barcelona and Arsenal. With the Spanish club, he won the Champions League twice.
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