Nacional sack Jokanovic and bring in Machado

Former coach returns to Madeira club

The carousel of coaches continues as Nacional have followed their island neighbours, Maritimo, by letting go off head coach Jokanovic, replacing the Serbian with former manager Manuel Machado.

The Portuguese tactician was delighted to return to the Choupana, signing a one-year deal. “This is a club where I recognise everyone very well. This factor was fundamental in my return,” explained Machado.

The experienced coach will look to shake off his poor record at Braga and start anew with the Madeira club. Some players that Machado is rumoured to be targeting are strikers Jailson (Sporting Braga), Paulo Cesar (Uniao de Leiria), Mateus & Ze Kalanga (Boavista), Edson (Pacos de Ferreira) and midfielder Ze Manel (Sporting Braga).

One player whose future is in doubt is central defender Fernando Cardozo. The Brazilian stopper has recently turned down a three-year deal with the club, and it is suspected that he declined the offer in order to join local rivals Maritimo.