Former Asian Cup winner with Iraq
Jorvan Vieira appointed coach of Newroz SC
SULAYMANIYAH — Seasoned Brazilian-Portuguese soccer coach Jorvan Vieira has taken the helm at Newroz Sports Club, signing his contract on the 17th anniversary of Iraq’s 2007 Asian Cup victory, famously led.
“Coming to Newroz was a real coincidence of life. Things happen in life we never know,” Vieira told 964media. His engagement with the club began last month when he attended a conference at Sulaimani University in Sulaymaniyah and later a match between Newroz and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. It was during this match that he was offered the coaching position by Newroz’s managerial board.
Born in 1953 in Rio de Janeiro, Vieira is a former player who began his professional career in the 1970s with Brazilian clubs Vasco da Gama, Botafogo, and Portuguesa. Transitioning to coaching in 1980 with Qatar SC, Vieira has built an extensive resume across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, including a pivotal role as assistant manager for Morocco during the 1986 FIFA World Cup, which saw the team advance to the second round.
Newroz SC, established in 1994 and based in Sulaymaniyah, competes in the Iraq Stars League, the premier division of Iraqi football. The club, which plays its home games at Sulaymaniyah Stadium, finished seventh out of 20 teams in the 2023-24 season.
In addition to his impressive coaching career, Vieira speaks seven languages, including Arabic, and holds a doctorate in sports sciences. His tenure with the Iraq national team, highlighted by the 2007 AFC Asian Cup victory over favorites Australia, Korea, and Saudi Arabia, remains a key part of his legacy.