Ricardo Sousa Appointed Head Coach of Romanian Club FC Petrolul Ploiesti

Portuguese coach Ricardo Sousa has been officially appointed as the new head coach of FC Petrolul Ploiesti, a Romanian football club. He has signed a contract that will keep him at the helm until the conclusion of the 2026/2027 season.

Ricardo Sousa, aged 47, is set to begin his role at FC Petrolul Ploiesti on June 15th, 2026. The club has also announced that his technical team will include assistants Tiago Alexander Martins Galhardo Ferreira and Andre Pereira de Matos, alongside video analyst Nuno Simao Gomes Da Costa. This appointment marks a significant step for the Romanian club as they prepare for the upcoming season.

FC Petrolul Ploiesti competes in Romania's football league system, and the addition of Sousa as head coach reflects the club's ambition to strengthen its technical leadership. Sousa's arrival could bring new tactical approaches and experience to the team, potentially impacting their performance in domestic competitions during the 2026/2027 campaign.

Ricardo Sousa's background as a player is notable, having appeared in over 150 matches in Portugal's top division. His playing career included stints at prominent clubs such as FC Porto, Beira-Mar, Santa Clara, Belenenses, and Boavista. Internationally, he also played in Germany for Hannover 96 and Offenbach, in the Netherlands with De Graafschap, in Cyprus at Omonia Nicosia, and in Slovenia for Drava Ptuj. Additionally, he represented Portugal across all youth levels, highlighting his longstanding involvement in football at various tiers.

Transitioning into coaching in 2015, Sousa began his managerial career at Sanjoanense and subsequently managed several clubs in Portugal's lower leagues, including Lusitano VRSA, Anadia, Felgueiras, and Beira-Mar. He later progressed to Liga Portugal 2, where he accumulated 99 matches as coach for Mafra, Feirense, and most recently Vizela during the first half of the 2025/2026 season. His coaching résumé also features an international stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ain during the 2024/2025 season.

Looking ahead, Ricardo Sousa's first challenge will be to integrate into FC Petrolul Ploiesti's squad and staff ahead of the new season. The club and supporters will be keen to see how his experience and coaching philosophy translate on the pitch. The upcoming months will be crucial for establishing his approach and preparing the team for competitive fixtures in Romania's football calendar.