Hugo Oliveira aiming to “create memories” after being appointed Strasbourg manager | OneFootball

Strasbourg chose Oliveira to fill managerial void [Getty Images]

Hugo Oliveira has been appointed new coach of French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, leaving Famalicão to take up his first managerial role abroad.

Oliveira led Famalicão to 5th place in the Primeira Liga last term, which attracted the interest of Strasbourg’s owners BlueCo, who have been searching for a new boss after Gary O’Neil left for Ipswich Town in his native England.

BlueCo, a consortium which also owns Chelsea and was only founded in 2022, have developed a strong reputation for changing managers, with Oliveira becoming the 4th different man to lead the team since their takeover of Strasbourg in 2023.

“It's an honour to be here in Strasbourg and to join such a wonderful project, where history and ambition perfectly align,” Oliveira said in a statement. “I want to bring emotion, create memories, and give my all to help the club continue to grow. Let's go!”

The 47-year-old is relatively inexperienced as a head coach, with just 56 matches under his belt from a two-year spell with Famalicão. However, Oliveira has extensive experience working on various coaching staffs, often being a specialist in goalkeeping training.

Oliveira has worked extensively with new Benfica boss Marco Silva, whom he followed to Hull City, Watford, Everton and Fulham across an 8-year spell in England. Before his collaboration with Silva, Oliveira spent around five years as goalkeeping specialist at Benfica.

A native of Penafiel who did not have a professional career as a player, Oliveira’s ascent has taken him from early steps at small local outfit Paredes, after which he passed through Rebordosa AC, FC Marco, Gil Vicente and Leiria, before joining the coaching staff of Portugal’s U17 and U19 teams.

Strasbourg finished 8th in Ligue 1 last term, a drop from their 7th place finish in 2025-25. BlueCo have stated they aim to turn the Alsace club into a competitive force in French football over the coming years.