In Braga, where European nights and domestic ambition have long shared the same steep streets, Carlos Vicens’ first senior managerial post has come to an abrupt close. The Spanish coach was relieved of his duties on Tuesday, a day after Sporting Braga lost 2-1 at home to Gil Vicente in Portugal’s eighth-round fixture.
The club confirmed that Vicens had departed with immediate effect, while thanking him for the professionalism, commitment and work he brought to the role. The Mallorcan had arrived last season after spending several years on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City staff, taking charge of a professional first team for the first time.
His opening campaign brought substantial returns. Braga finished fourth in Liga Portugal and reached the Europa League semi-finals, having removed Real Betis in the quarter-finals. It was a season that gave the club a place among Portugal’s European contenders and offered Vicens an encouraging start after his years in coaching support roles in England.
This autumn has proved less forgiving. Braga sit ninth in the Portuguese league table, with three victories, two draws and two defeats, and the setback against Gil Vicente at their own ground prompted the change. The club now turns towards its next appointment with the season still young, but with the distance to the places it expected to occupy already demanding attention.
