João Aroso is a respected Portuguese football coach, lecturer, and technical expert with over 20 years of experience in elite football. He is currently the Assistant Head Coach of the South Korea national team, where he is responsible for the team’s overall preparation. This includes developing the tactical framework, designing and leading training sessions, and coordinating closely with fitness coaches and game analysts. He plays a key role in supporting head coach Hong Myung-bo in shaping the team’s identity and performance.
Aroso holds a UEFA Pro Licence and a Master’s degree in Sports Sciences with a focus on High Performance Training from the University of Porto. He has taught at the University of Lisbon and is also a regular lecturer in an international post-graduate program in High Performance Football Coaching, founded in connection with José Mourinho. This course has featured several well-known participants, including Rúben Amorim.
His coaching journey began in 2003 at Sporting CP, where he worked as assistant to Fernando Santos, José Peseiro, and Paulo Bento. During this period, Sporting reached the 2005 UEFA Cup Final, won two Portuguese Cups and two Super Cups, and earned multiple Champions League appearances. In 2005, he moved to AEK Athens with Fernando Santos before returning to Sporting.
In 2010, he joined Paulo Bento on the Portuguese national team staff, contributing to a Euro 2012 semifinal run and qualification for the 2014 World Cup. He later took on head coach roles with Portugal’s U15 team, Braga B, and Morocco’s U20 side, guiding the latter to the semifinals of the Arab Cup. His ability to work across youth and senior levels reflects his adaptability and long-term approach to player development.
In the 2022–23 season, Aroso led Vitória SC in the Primeira Liga. Officially registered as head coach, he handled media duties and helped the club qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League. He also stepped in as interim manager for one match, which he won. Shortly after, he worked as Technical Director at FC Famalicão, overseeing football development from the U16 level to the first team, before returning to coaching.
Known for his modern football philosophy, Aroso favors an attractive, offensive, and efficient style of play. His approach to training is built around tactical clarity and ensuring that every session reflects the demands of the game itself.
Outside of coaching, he is deeply involved in coach education, contributing to both academic and professional development settings. Over the years, he has worked with many top players and collaborated with respected managers across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
João Aroso speaks Portuguese (native), English, Spanish, and French. His biggest aim is to work in the United Kingdom in the future.
Our Exclusive Interview with João Aroso
Who is João Aroso outside of football, and how have your personal experiences influenced your coaching journey?
I have always tried to guide my professional conduct by the same values I follow in my personal life. I often say, “a better person is a better coach,” because coaching is a complex process where human relationships play a major role. I also want to highlight the importance of family. I’ve been fortunate to maintain a good balance between my coaching career and family life, and the time I can spend with them is always a key factor when deciding whether to accept a job.
Looking back, what first drew you to the technical and strategic side of football, and did you ever imagine building such a long-standing career in it?
Since I was a child, I was passionate about football, both watching and playing. I couldn’t become a professional player, so I pursued a degree in Sport Sciences. I started as an academy coach at 22 and had my first experience in professional football as a fitness coach at one of the top clubs in Portugal, Sporting CP. However, my role went far beyond fitness, as I was deeply involved in training methodology and tactical team development.
I also worked as a head coach at the U23 and youth national team levels, which helped strengthen my leadership skills. These experiences have been valuable in my recent roles as Assistant Head Coach at Vitória SC and with the Korea National Team, as well as during my time as Technical Director at FC Famalicão.
It has been nearly 30 years since I started coaching. While I have had fortunate moments in terms of opportunities, I believe they only come when we are perceived as competent.
What has been the most rewarding or unexpected part of working with national teams and top-level clubs?
I would say that representing our country while working with the Portuguese National Team and hearing the national anthem was truly an unforgettable honor. Another remarkable moment was when I started at Sporting CP and found myself working with players I had only seen on TV, some of whom were almost idols to me.
How do you define leadership in a football environment, especially when working across cultures and age groups?
Leadership is our ability to influence others, whether players or coaching staff, to follow our direction. This depends primarily on the quality of our human relationships. We may have deep knowledge of training and the game itself, but if those relationships fail, everything else falls apart.
You’ve been part of significant projects, from Sporting CP to the Portuguese national team. Which moment or contribution are you most proud of?
At Sporting CP, winning my first trophy in professional football, the Portuguese Cup, was a special moment. With the Portuguese National Team, reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2012 and losing to that great Spanish side only on penalties was also a proud and memorable achievement.
What qualities do you believe young coaches need today to succeed in modern football?
The level of exigence is higher now, as there are many coaches competing for limited opportunities. They must prepare thoroughly and show strong dedication, because only the best will succeed. I still believe that maintaining a good attitude always plays a key role in that journey.
How has your work as a lecturer and educator shaped your approach to coaching and football methodology?
When we teach, we also learn. Educating other coaches in post-graduate courses helps us develop the ability to identify strengths and weaknesses in their coaching, which in turn improves our own approach. By sharing experiences in training methodology and tactics, and engaging in discussion and reflection, we refine our own process as well.
Looking ahead, what aspects of the game do you think require the most development, and how do you see yourself contributing to that progress?
I would highlight tactical flexibility, which allows us to maintain our core tactical concepts while adjusting our actions in both offensive and defensive phases based on the opponent’s positioning. Football is often a cat-and-mouse game, with both teams trying to surprise each other through different shapes or dynamics. This approach helps develop intelligent players who can adapt to various tactical challenges.