Fulham’s first-team coach, Luis Boa Morte, is set to embark on a new chapter in his coaching career as he prepares to take the helm of the Guinea-Bissau national football team. The Portuguese tactician will depart from his role with Fulham at the conclusion of the current season.
Boa Morte, 46, joined Fulham’s coaching staff in 2021, coinciding with the appointment of Marco Silva as the club’s head coach. The duo’s professional relationship extends back to their time together at Sporting Lisbon and Everton. Boa Morte, a former Fulham player who made over 150 appearances for the London club between 2001 and 2007, has been an integral part of Silva’s coaching setup.
In a statement released by Fulham, the club expressed gratitude for Boa Morte’s contributions and wished him success in his future endeavors. His departure will coincide with Fulham’s final fixture of the season against Luton Town.
Boa Morte’s transition to the Guinea-Bissau national team marks his first foray into international coaching. He will inherit the reins of a team currently ranked 118th in the FIFA World Rankings. Despite the team’s modest global standing, Boa Morte will be tasked with guiding the squad to new heights in African football.
Nicknamed the African Wild Dogs, Guinea-Bissau has yet to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and has struggled to progress beyond the group stage in previous editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. Their recent performance at the 2023 Nations Cup saw them finish at the bottom of Group A after suffering defeat in all three matches.
Boa Morte brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having previously managed Portuguese fourth-tier side Sintrense from 2017 to 2018. As a player, he enjoyed a successful career, winning the Premier League title with Arsenal in 1998 and representing clubs such as West Ham United and Southampton. Boa Morte also earned 28 caps for the Portuguese national team.
His appointment signals a new era for Guinea-Bissau football, with hopes high that Boa Morte’s expertise and leadership will lead to a resurgence for the national team on the continental stage.
