Portuguese Coach Paulo Bento Turns Down Uzbekistan National Team Offer

Portuguese football coach Paulo Bento has turned down an offer to take charge of the Uzbekistan national team, citing conditions that did not meet his professional expectations.

Bento, 56, assessed the terms presented and decided they were not suitable at this point in his coaching career, The Caspian Post reports, citing Portuguese media.

The decision comes months after his resignation from the United Arab Emirates national team in March, a move that surprised many as the UAE remains in contention for a place in the upcoming World Cup.

With a résumé that includes managing the Portugal national team from 2010 to 2014 and leading South Korea in the 2022 World Cup, Bento remains a respected figure in international football.

In the meantime, Uzbekistan continues its campaign in the CAFA Nations Cup under the interim leadership of Timur Kapadze.