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Rui Jorge takes Portugal U21 reins

Friday, November 19, 2010

Former Portugal international Rui Jorge has been appointed as the new coach of his country's Under-21 side, the 37-year-old replacing Oceano Cruz at the helm.

Rui Jorge in action for Portugal at UEFA EURO 2004
Rui Jorge in action for Portugal at UEFA EURO 2004 ©Bongarts

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has announced former international Rui Jorge as the new coach of their Under-21 side.

The 37-year-old former FC Porto, Rio Ave FC, Sporting Clube de Portugal and CF Os Belenenses left-back will replace Oceano Cruz in the role. He briefly led Belenenses in the late stages of the 2008/09 Liga campaign before returning to his work at youth-team level.

"It will be a different job from the one I've been developing at club level but it is a privilege to be able to coach a national side," said Rui Jorge, who will be assisted by Romeu Almeida and Alexandre Silva. "It will be a challenge to coach elite players." Portugal failed to qualify for next summer's finals after finishing third in Group 9.

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