Rui Duarte takes interim command of Braga and Daniel Sousa has already signed for two seasons

In a press conference, the president of Braga’s SAD revealed: “It was with the team in mind that we made the decisions. We reflected in the last few days. The transition solution, until the end of the season, will be Rui Duarte. From 2024/25, for two seasons, the coach will be Daniel Sousa [atual treinador do Arouca]. We signed a contract on Tuesday night.”

The director stated that Arouca demanded one million euros to release Daniel Sousa immediately, but this claim was not echoed, as Braga was not available to pay that amount just seven games before the end of the season. Interestingly, the two teams will face each other in the next round of the championship, in Minho, next Saturday. “No one who is serious can think that our opponent and his coach won’t do everything in their power to make our task as difficult as possible,” said Salvador.

Regarding Artur Jorge’s departure, Salvador was critical. “Last November we renewed the contract with Artur Jorge until 2025 and it was always my intention to give a message of great confidence and stability. I do not deny that in the following months there were some internal and external sources of protest, but it was with great surprise that I found out, indirectly, that last Monday Artur Jorge was having dinner in Matosinhos with businessman John Textor [acionista do Botafogo]”, said the president of the Braga club.

“It became clear to me and to everyone within the squad that the leadership position was compromised. Given the important objectives that the season holds for us, I did not expect the coach to call into question the command he has always exercised over the group” , he added.

Regarding Rui Duarte, Salvador highlighted: “We have, fortunately, very competent professionals at home and the past confirms this. Rui Duarte had been having a very worthy campaign in the under-23s, having also commanded the team that competed in the Youth League a a level that made the club and Portuguese football proud. You will have our full support for these seven final rounds, but above all you will have the support of a serious and responsible working group, which has a lot of quality and is 100% focused on achieve the best possible classification in the championship”.