Shabab Al-Ahli Club announced on Sunday the appointment of Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa as the new head coach, succeeding Serbian Marko Nikolić.
In a statement on their official X account, the club said, “Shabab Al-Ahli Football is pleased to announce the signing of Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa, 53, to lead the first team for the 2024-2025 season.”
The statement continued, “Shabab Al-Ahli Football Company wishes the coach success in achieving the club’s goals and ambitions, along with the support of our fans and large following. Welcome, Paulo, to the home of the Knights.”
Paulo Sousa has an extensive coaching background, having managed the Portugal U16 national team in 2005.
He has also coached clubs such as Queens Park Rangers, Swansea City, Leicester City, Videoton, Basel, Fiorentina, Tianjin, Bordeaux, Poland national team, Flamengo, and Salernitana.
Meanwhile, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) plans to raise up to $2 billion to expand its free streaming service, “+FIFA,” which was launched to provide live match coverage, according to sources familiar with the matter.
FIFA is collaborating with UBS Group to secure between $1 billion and $2 billion to enhance the service, the sources, who requested anonymity due to the confidentiality of the information, revealed.
A formal fundraising campaign is expected to commence in July, primarily targeting financial investors from the United States and the Middle East, the sources added.
The discussions are still in the early stages, and details such as the timing and the amount of funds to be raised may change.
The investment would be in exchange for a minority stake in “+FIFA,” the sources noted.
Sports leagues, including golf tournaments and local football leagues, have resorted to separating and selling media rights to raise capital, allowing investors to earn revenue from future advertising and broadcasting.
