Alanyaspor has made a significant move in its coaching lineup by announcing Joao Pereira as the new head coach after they parted ways with Sami Ugurlu. The club seeks fresh direction at a critical time this season and believes Pereira, who has an impressive history in Turkish football, will be an ideal candidate to lead the team forward.
The announcement came on March 22, 2025, when Alanyaspor’s president, Hasan Cavusoglu, expressed gratitude to Ugurlu for his contributions to the club. "Öncelikle karşılıklı anlaşarak sözleşmesini feshettiğimiz Sami Uğurlu hocamıza ve ekibine, Alanyaspor’umuza vermiş oldukları hizmetlerden dolayı kendim ve kulübüm adına teşekkür ediyorum," said Cavusoglu, acknowledging the work done by the former head coach.
Pereira is no stranger to Turkish football. Between 2017 and 2021, he played for Trabzonspor, where he developed a strong rapport with fans and players alike. This background sets a warm tone for his return, and Pereira himself expressed enthusiasm about coming back to Turkey. "Türkiye’ye döndüğüm için çok mutluyum. Buraya çok büyük projelerle ve hırslı bir şekilde geldim," he stated.
In his contract, which spans until the end of the 2025-2026 season, Pereira aims to cultivate a team characterized by ambition and high energy. He remarked, "Karakteri ve yüksek enerjisi olan bir takım oluşturmak istiyoruz. Bunu saha içerisinde göstermek için çok çalışacağız," underlining his determination to sculpt a squad that reflects his vision on the pitch.
Pereira also noted his familiarity with many of Alanyaspor’s players, indicating a smooth transition into his new role. "Alanyaspor'daki oyuncuların çoğunu tanıdığını belirten Pereira, Türkiye'den ayrıldığımdan beri Türkiye ligini izlemeye devam ettiğini," suggesting that he has kept close tabs on the players and their development.
As the fans and management await Pereira’s strategic changes on the field, his appointment seems promising. The expectations are that he will instill not only technical prowess but also instill a strong sense of confidence and ambition in the squad, which could be crucial for the rest of the season.
His immediate focus will be to transmute the team’s current form and instill a strong winning mentality. Pereira’s track record as a player and his ambitions as a coach suggest that he understands the intricate nuances needed to bring success on the competitive stage of the Süper Lig.
In summary, Joao Pereira's return to Turkish football through Alanyaspor is viewed as a strategic opportunity that could bolster the team’s performance significantly. The club’s leadership and fans are optimistic that under his guidance, Alanyaspor will not only stabilize but thrive in the matches ahead. With Pereira’s extensive background and local knowledge, there's a collective hope that he can lead the team to new heights, fostering a spirit of resilience in the squad.
