Rio de Janeiro, February 19 (HS): Brazilian club Botafogo has reached an agreement to appoint Portuguese manager Vasco Matos as its new head coach. Matos, 44, has agreed to sign a two-year contract that will run until December 2026.

According to a report by local news outlet O Globo, the Rio de Janeiro-based club has agreed to pay 1 million euros to activate the release clause in Matos' contract with Portugal's top league team Santa Clara. However, some administrative formalities are yet to be completed before an official announcement can be made.

Botafogo has been without a permanent manager since earlier this year, when former coach Artur Jorge joined Qatar club Al-Rayyan in January. Since then, the responsibility of the team was handed over to Claudio Cacapa as interim coach. Caçapa can now return to his previous role as assistant coach.

Matos is considered one of the most promising young managers in Europe. He played a key role in Santa Clara winning Portugal's second division title last year. His team is fifth in the top-flight standings this season. Under his leadership, Botafogo is expected to get a new strategic direction.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar