Sylvinho renews contract as Albania coach

TIRANA: The Albanian soccer federation renewed its contract with Brazilian head coach Sylvinho on Wednesday, with the aim of qualifying for the 2025 Nations League and reaching the World Cup a year later for the first time.

The 50-year-old Sylvinho, who took over in January 2023, led the team to the Euro 2024 finals but took just one point in the group stages against Italy, Croatia and Spain.

It was Albania’s second appearance at a major tournament, following its involvement at Euro 2016 under Italian coach Gianni de Biasi.

The new contract runs until December 2025, taking Albania through the Nations League and the qualifying stages of the World Cup.

The federation said: “Ater the success qualifying for the Euro finals, the main goal now is a historic qualification for World Cup 2026.”

Sylvinho qualified Albania after topping a tough Euro 2024 group that included Poland and Czech Republic.

A former left back, Sylvinho played for Brazil, Barcelona and Arsenal before ending his career with Manchester City in 2010.

Sylvinho has coached French club Lyon and Corinthians in Brazil. He was also an assistant to former coach Tite at Brazil and to Roberto Mancini at Inter Milan.

Formerly a left back, Sylvinho began his career at Corinthians. He was signed by Arsenal in 1999, and was a popular player in his two seasons at the club. He left for Celta Vigo of La Liga, before joining Barcelona in 2004, with whom he won the UEFA Champions League in 2006 and 2009 among other honours. He returned to England to spend his final season as a player with Manchester City in 2009–10.