Paulo Sousa had his first training session in charge of Salernitana after replacing fired Davide Nicola. ‘I am happy to return to a country where I feel so at home.’
This will be his second Serie A stint as a tactician after Fiorentina opted not to renew his contract in 2017.
He also spent time in Italy during his playing career for Juventus, Parma and Inter.
“I am happy to be the new coach of Salernitana and to return to a country where I feel so much at home,” said the Portuguese coach.
“With hard work, team spirit and the support of the city, we can overcome any challenge. With courage and the compromise of all working together, along with the passion of our fans, I am sure that we will experience some joy.
“I can’t wait to play the first game and to be with the fans to prove what Salernitana are made of.”
This is only Salernitana’s third ever Serie A season and last year Nicola managed an astonishing turnaround to let them secure safety on the final day of the tournament.
He had also started well this term, but results fell away and he was already fired in January only to be recalled 48 hours later, but this time President Danilo Iervolino made the decision stick.
Sousa’s recent coaching career has been troubled, ending experiences early with Tianjin Quanjian, Girondins de Bordeaux, the Poland national team and Flamengo.
He was sacked by the Brazilian club in June 2022.