OFFICIAL: José Morais announced at Al Sharjah amid controversy.

José Morais was announced this Tuesday as the new coach of Al Sharjah, from the United Arab Emirates, a few days after terminating his contract with rival Al Wahda, citing “personal reasons” .

A controversial move, given that the 60-year-old Portuguese coach was having a season exceeding expectations at Al Wahda, leaving without a single defeat in seventeen games.

José Morais signed a contract until the end of the current season and also valid for the next season of 2026/27, and the new club made a point of explaining that no illegality was committed in the hiring of the new coach, guaranteeing that negotiations only began after José Morais terminated his contract with Al Wahda.

“The contract with Morais was made in accordance with the interests of the Sharjah Athletic Club management and in full adherence to professional standards in the negotiation and contract drafting process, despite irresponsible rumors about how the new Sharjah coach was hired. The Sharjah president stressed that negotiations only began after the coach ended his relationship with his previous club,” Al Sharjah stated. 

Al Sharjah also highlights José Morais’s resume, noting that he began his career in Benfica’s youth academy and later gained international experience as José Mourinho’s assistant.

As a head coach, José Morais has already worked in Germany, Sweden, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Iran, Italy, Spain, England, Greece, Ukraine, South Korea, Turkey, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates.

In Portugal, José Morais managed the first teams of Santa Clara, Académico de Viseu, and Estoril.