Paulo Bento could become head coach of Uzbekistan national team

Former head coach of the national teams of Portugal, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates, Paulo Bento, is being considered for the role of head coach of the Uzbekistan national football team. This was reported by "Football-Asean".

The Football Association of Uzbekistan (UFA) is seeking a coach with international experience to lead the team in its bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the country’s history. The UFA’s initial approach was to 2014 World Cup-winning coach Joachim Löw, but the German specialist declined despite receiving a serious offer. Reports also indicated negotiations with former Turkish head coach Fatih Terim, though no agreement has been reached.

Attention has now shifted to the 56-year-old Portuguese coach Bento. He began his managerial career at Sporting Lisbon and has since led clubs including Cruzeiro in Brazil, Olympiacos in Greece, and Chongqing Lifan in China.

Bento coached the Portugal national team between 2010 and 2014, guiding them to the Euro 2012 semi-finals. He later earned acclaim in Asia by taking South Korea to the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. More recently, he managed the UAE national team.

Uzbekistan has already secured its place in the 2025 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The UFA is reportedly determined to bring in a tactically skilled coach with experience on the global stage.

According to sources, negotiations with Bento are ongoing, and he is considered one of the leading candidates for the position.