NorthEast United FC have roped in former Portugal, Iran, Jordan and Saudi Arabia National Team Manager, Nelo Vingada, popularly known as “The Professor”. After taking charge of the Portugal National Teal from 1993 to 1994, Vingada will now lead the NorthEast United FC in the third edition of Indian Super League.

Coaching the Portugal under-20 team to finish third in the FIFA under-20 World Cup and earlier winning it twice along with acclaimed Manager Carlos Queiroz, Nelo Vingada is the best match for the young and energetic NEUFC. His international experience and tutelage will help the team to best claim their stake on ISL-2016.

Commenting on the appointment, John Abraham, Owner of NorthEast United FC, said “I welcome Nelo Vingada as the new Head Coach of NEUFC. The team looks forward to learning from his tremendous leadership skills and the strategic acumen. His international experience makes him the most suitable coach to nurture and lead the team. Nelo has already proved himself as a winner and his attitude matches the vision we harbor for the Club.”

Further commenting on the , Ardeshir Jeejeebhoy, Director of Football for NEUFC said, “We are thrilled to have Nelo Vingada join NEUFC as the new Head Coach. We are affirmative that our team of young and passionate footballers would learn a lot from him. At such a crucial time, we couldn’t have asked for a better Coach. His on-field expertise and glorious experience makes us really affirmative about the upcoming ISL.”

Nelo Vingada was equally thrilled with proceedings and expressed his approval, “John Abraham and I have the same outlook on the game and the team. We want to bring in more talent that will be professional and willing to learn and evolve into better players. The club has been putting in a good amount of efforts and you can see that over seasons. The club currently has talented players and I aim to train the team and bring a good balance between each player. This season we hope to see better results for NEUFC. I think that I am a Coach who respects the man behind the player. Working with the talented Indian boys is an exciting prospect for me. The players we will now bring in will complement the existing squad.”

Vingada has also managed the Saudi Arabia national team, guiding them in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup title and helped them qualify for the 1998 World Cup. In his extensive coaching career of 35 years and beyond, Vingada has managed the Iran Olympic Side, served as the technical director of Benfica and helped FC Seoul emerge victorious in the 2010 K League, also coaching the teams in Jordan, Morocco, Egypt and China. He holds a unique distinction of leading Egyptian side Zamalek FC to the title without losing a single game in the season.

(NorthEast United Press Release)