Paulo Bento will continue his career in Asia.

Fabrizio Romano, who is well versed in the European football transfer market, announced on social media on 9 September that “Bento has agreed to become the new coach of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A three-year contract valid until 2026 has been reached. The contract will be signed tomorrow.”

Portuguese newspaper Hecord also reported, “Vento is in talks to become the UAE coach. He was in charge of the South Korean national football team from 2018 to 2022, leaving after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In addition to South Korea, Bento has also coached Portugal, Sporting, Olympiacos, Cruzeiro and Chongqing Lifan,” adding that he could be heading to the UAE.

Arriving at Incheon International Airport on 20 August 2018, Bento’s arrival was met with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. After finishing runner-up in the Portuguese Primeira Liga and the UEFA Champions League with Sporting, and reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 with Portugal, he hadn’t been able to make his mark in Brazil, Greece and China.

South Korea and Bento had the same goal in mind. To restore the shattered pride and resurrect the team. Bento tried to incorporate many colours into his team’s game, including build-ups from low positions, aggressive attacks from the flanks, and fast-paced pressing and transitions. South Korea did just that, qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a record-breaking performance in the final qualifying round.

There have been ups and downs. There were disappointments in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup and the runners-up spot in the 2022 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup). Add to that the criticism of Plan A and roster stagnation. Bento has faltered in many ways.

It wasn’t the end. Ahead of the World Cup, Son Heung-min suffered a fractured orbital bone. Hwang Hee-chan was also ruled out with a hamstring injury. In the same group, Uruguay, Ghana, and Portugal were all dark horses on their respective continents and were not expected to do much.

It paid off for Bento and the Taeguk Warriors. They drew with Uruguay (0-0), lost to Ghana (2-3) and won against Portugal (2-1) to reach the round of 16. Against Portugal, they completed the ‘Miracle of Al Rayyan’. It was a rewarding achievement after four years of honing their football and not backing down from the global stage. South Korea reached the round of 16 for the first time in 12 years under Bento.

Although they were brought to their knees by Brazil (1-4), Bento deserved a round of applause. After the World Cup, the Taegeuk Warrior was welcomed by the Red Devils. There were talks of a possible re-signing, but Bento chose to say goodbye to the World Cup for the last time.

After the World Cup, Bento was so beloved that he was called “Benverge” (Bento + father). He left South Korea via Incheon International Airport on 13 December 2022. South Korea have since joined hands with Jürgen Klinsmann to get back to the starting line. 메이저놀이터 주소

The sabbatical has raised the possibility that Bento could take over in the UAE. The UAE have qualified for the World Cup only once in their history. They are a minor player in Asia and the Middle East, overshadowed by Qatar, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

If Bento were to take over, the UAE could face an immediate opponent this year. South Korea will start their campaign for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States (North and Central America) with the second round of Asian qualifiers. They could face Bento at the helm of the UAE in the second round of qualifiers starting in November.