Key Takeaways
- Racing Strasbourg has appointed Hugo Oliveira as their new head coach.
- Oliveira replaces Gary O’Neil, who left for Ipswich Town.
- The Portuguese coach comes from Famalicao and has experience in the Premier League.
Racing Strasbourg have announced the appointment of Hugo Oliveira as their new head coach. The club's decision to bring in Oliveira follows Gary O’Neil’s departure, with the latter moving on to join Ipswich Town in England.
Oliveira, a Portuguese national, takes over from O’Neil who guided Strasbourg to an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1 and reached the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League during his tenure. His arrival is set to mark a new chapter for the club as they prepare for their upcoming season.
Before his appointment at Strasbourg, Oliveira had spent seven years working under Marco Silva’s coaching staff in the Premier League, contributing to teams such as Fulham, Everton, Hull City, and Watford. His experience extends beyond club football; he also served as the goalkeeping coach with Portugal's national team from 2009 to 2011 and held a similar role at Benfica between 2011 and 2016.
Oliveira’s latest coaching stint was at Portuguese top-flight side Famalicao, where he led the club to a fifth-place finish in the 2025-26 season. His appointment is seen as a strategic move by Strasbourg, aiming to leverage his extensive experience and expertise in European football.
The club's next challenge begins on August 21 when they face Marseille in their opening Ligue 1 match of the new season. Fans and analysts will be keenly watching how Oliveira’s leadership shapes up against one of the traditional powerhouses of French football.
Strasbourg’s decision to appoint a coach with such diverse experience is indicative of their ambition for success in the upcoming season. With Oliveira at the helm, the club hopes to build on O’Neil's achievements and continue their upward trajectory in Ligue 1.
