Flamengo hire Sousa, who leaves Poland

After the termination of his contract, Paulo Sousa will leave the reins of the Polish team and take over the leadership of Flamengo, according to simultaneous announcements from the football leaders of the European country and the Brazilian club.

The president of the Polish Federation said, on Wednesday, that Souza will leave, while Minjau announced the signing of a two-year agreement with the coach.

Cesare Koleska said the Federation Council had unanimously decided not to continue working with the 51-year-old Portuguese strategist, who would nonetheless have to pay “compensation in line with the expectations” of Poland’s football governing body.

Koleska did not specify the amount of compensation. On Sunday, Souza was charged with “extremely irresponsible behaviour” for trying to leave his position after receiving an offer from a club.

The Polish leader added that he “strongly refused” Souza’s request to leave by mutual agreement.

Sousa was appointed coach of Poland in January 2021. The team, led by Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski, underwent a disappointing performance under the Portuguese.

In June, he was the last of his group at the European Championship.

Poland is behind England in the qualifying group for next year’s World Cup in Qatar and will have to play in the playoffs in March.

“Hello Brazil!” Said Sousa said in a video that Flamingo published on social networks. “It gives me great pride and satisfaction to represent a club with the incomparable greatness of Flamengo.”

Sousa will replace Renato Portalupe, who was sacked by Rio de Janeiro after losing 2-1 in the Copa Libertadores final in November against Palmeiras.