Pontes picked for Guimarães post
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Article summary
Vítor Pontes has been appointed coach of struggling Portuguese side Vitória SC of Guimarães until the end of the season, replacing Jaime Pacheco.
Article body
Vítor Pontes is to replace Jaime Pacheco as Vitória SC coach, the Portuguese club have confirmed. Pontes will be presented to the media on Thursday afternoon, following the club's final UEFA Cup group game against Beşiktaş JK on Wednesday night.
Short contract
The new coach, who replaced José Mourinho at UD Leiria when the current Chelsea FC manager departed for FC Porto, has signed a contract until the end of the season with the option of a further year if he is successful. Pontes will be assisted in the role by Rui Vieira and physio Rui Santos.
Stuttering season
Pontes will take charge of his first training session at Guimarães on Thursday, with former player and current assistant coach Basílio Marques leading the team in Wednesday's match against Beşiktaş. The club are already out of contention for a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup, having collected just one point from their first three Group H games. They have also struggled in the Portuguese Liga and currently sit in the bottom three of the table.
