Who is Bento, the coach close to leading Uzbekistan’s national team?

Earlier, it was reported that Portuguese specialist Paulo Bento, 56, is expected to take charge of the Uzbekistan national football team. Today, August 28, reports have circulated on social media that he has arrived in Tashkent and will soon be officially announced as the head coach of the national team. So, what achievements has Bento attained throughout his career, and which teams has he managed?

During his professional playing career, Bento played as a midfielder. He even shared the pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo at Sporting Lisbon and later went on to coach him in the national team.

The specialist began his coaching career in 2004 with Sporting Lisbon’s youth team. Just a year later, in 2005, he was appointed head coach of the club’s senior team. Between 2007 and 2008, Bento led Sporting to two Portuguese Cup victories as well as two Super Cup titles.

In addition, on May 11, 2016, Bento was appointed head coach of Brazil’s Cruzeiro. His contract was signed until December 2017, making him the third foreign coach and the first European in the club’s history. However, on July 25, 2016, following a defeat to Sport Recife, Bento resigned from his position.

After that, on August 11, 2016, he signed a two-year contract with Greece’s Olympiacos, and a year later, in 2017, he became the country’s champion. He also briefly worked in China with Chongqing Lifan during the 2017/2018 season, managing the team for just 15 matches.

Bento has coached the national teams of Portugal, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates at different times.

On September 21, 2010, he was appointed head coach of the Portugal national team, where he served for four years. Under his leadership, Portugal played 47 matches, recording 26 wins, 11 draws, and 10 losses. At Euro 2012, he guided the team to the semifinals, where they lost to Spain in a penalty shootout, eventually securing the tournament’s bronze medals.

With Portugal, at the 2014 World Cup hosted by Brazil, his team suffered a 0:4 defeat to Germany in the group stage, drew 2:2 with the United States, and claimed a 2:1 victory over Ghana. Despite collecting the same four points as the U.S., Portugal was eliminated on goal difference.

In 2022, as the head coach of South Korea, Bento took part in the World Cup held in Qatar. Just like in 2014, his team earned four points: a goalless draw against Uruguay (0:0), a 2:3 defeat to Ghana, and a 2:1 win over Portugal. However, in the round of 16, South Korea was knocked out by Brazil with a 1:4 loss.

With South Korea, Bento managed 57 matches, recording 35 victories, 13 draws, and 9 defeats. During his tenure with the United Arab Emirates national team, he oversaw 26 matches, securing 14 wins, 5 draws, and 7 losses before leaving the team.

It is noteworthy that on October 15 of last year, as head coach of the UAE national team, Bento suffered a 1–0 defeat to Uzbekistan in the World Cup qualifiers. The only goal of the match in Tashkent was scored by Otabek Shukurov.