Since Brighton & Hove Albion’s approach for Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira was first reported, all stories from the Brazilian media claimed how unlikely that move was.
The first lot stated the coach turned down those first contacts from the Seagulls, followed by opinion pieces that came up to say he wouldn’t leave his team to join a ‘small’ club in England.
It turns out, however, that we now finally get to see someone claiming Abel Ferreira’s move to Brighton is a possibility.
That’s journalist Rodrigo Coutinho, who, live on UOL News Esporte, claims that the manager would be given a big chance of entering the Premier League, and in case the approach turns into an offer, that should be accepted.
“In the mind of European professional Abel Ferreira, I have no doubt that he prefers to go to the Premier League to train a smaller team. I’m not disregarding the size of Palmeiras or Brazilian football, I’m just being realistic with what the market is.
“We live in Brazil and it’s difficult to have this notion of reality, but the Premier League is the main championship in the world, it’s the showcase, if he coaches Brighton, he faces Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United. If he stands out, he can get a bigger club, both from England and from another league.
“You have no doubt that this is the objective of Abel Ferreira’s head, at least in the medium term. Every European coach has this dream of standing out in his continent, it’s a natural thing to do. It’s obvious he won’t say that, he manages this communication very well with the press, with the players, he’s a guy that you can see that he studied for it.
“If this proposal is indeed confirmed, I think it is very difficult for him to remain at Palmeiras, whatever the money that Palmeiras will offer. It’s a matter of career plan and objective to be where the best are.”
Abel Ferreira recently signed a new contract with Palmeiras, committing himself to the club until 2024, and bringing his family from Portugal to live with him in Brazil.
The fact that he’s fighting for the league title should also play against his move to Brighton.
However, a chance to move to the Premier League indeed seems very attractive for any manager in South America.
Perhaps if the Seagulls could just wait until the end of the Brazilian season in December, then their chances of landing him would increase.
