Braga manager Abel Ferreira heading to PAOK

Braga head coach Abel Ferreira is to join Greek champions PAOK.

PAOK offered Abel a contract that would rival the top-earning managers in Portugal, approximately 2 million euros a season; Abel saw the proposal as too good to turn down and is now set for the move to Greece.

Braga previously rejected an approach from PAOK, stating in no uncertain terms that they wanted Abel to remain at the club, but the Braga president Antonio Salvador has accepted that Abel’s departure is now inevitable.

The 40-year old Portuguese manager has been manager of Braga for two full seasons, the first of which proved highly successful.

To put into context the incredible accomplishment of Braga in that 2017-18 campaign, their 24 league victories from just 34 matches was the most wins they have ever had in a single season in their entire century-long history - even more than the 22 wins they picked up in the 2010-11 season where they finished second place - while their 75 points total was also the most in any season they've played in.

Abel Ferreira certainly played a significant part in that success, also overseeing an entertaining Europa League campaign, leading them to the Europa League proper before then guiding them to top of a tricky group containing Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir and Ludogorets.

There is no doubt that the Braga president Antonio Salvador - in addition to the Braga fans - would like to see their young coach stay at the helm, but PAOK are intent on getting their man.

PAOK, who were docked two points last season after a court decision, still finished 1st in the Greek Super League last season after completing an unbeaten league campaign (26 wins, 4 draws).

The Greek outfit, whose captain is Portuguese international Vieirinha, are in need of a new manager after Razvan Lucescu joined Al-Hilal a few days ago.

And Abel is the man that they have chosen to be his successor.

Braga stadium. Photo author: Eduardo Souto de Moura. License link.