A compelling Portuguese showdown will take centre stage as José Morais and Pedro Martínez go head-to-head from the touchline when Sharjah face Al Gharafa in the UAE–Qatar Super Cup.
The highly anticipated clash will be played on Thursday, 22 January, with kick-off at 8:00 PM, at Thani bin Jassim Stadium, as part of the UAE–Qatar Super Cup series.
Before the focus turns to the action on the pitch, attention is firmly on the dugout, where two experienced coaches will look to outmanoeuvre each other on one of the region’s biggest stages.
José Morais: Early Impact, Immediate Ambition
José Morais took charge of Sharjah on 27 December, succeeding Serbian coach Miloš. Since his appointment, Morais has overseen seven matches across all competitions, recording three wins, one draw, and three defeats, with his side scoring 11 goals and conceding 10.
Despite the brief spell, Morais has already made his mark, guiding Sharjah to the Emaar Super Cup title, his first piece of silverware with the club. Now, he sets his sights on a second trophy, aiming to add the UAE–Qatar Super Cup to his growing honours list.
Morais brings with him a decorated managerial resume. His career highlights include winning the Tunisian league with Espérance (2009–2010), lifting the Saudi Pro League title with Al Hilal (2020–2021), and enjoying major success in South Korea with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, claiming two K League titles (2019, 2020), the Korean FA Cup (2020), and the K League Coach of the Year award in 2019. He also won the Saudi Super Cup with Al Shabab in 2014 and the Iranian Cup with Sepahan in the 2023–2024 season.
Pedro Martínez: Stability, Experience, and Silverware
Pedro Martínez has been at the helm of Al Gharafa since 2022, taking over from Andrea Stramaccioni. During his tenure, Martínez has led the Qatari side in 109 matches, registering 53 wins, 18 draws, and 38 defeats. His team has scored an impressive 209 goals, while conceding 203.
Martínez’s time with Al Gharafa has already delivered silverware, with the club lifting the Qatar Emir Cup on 24 May. He now aims to secure a second trophy and crown his Super Cup debut with success.
The Spaniard’s managerial pedigree is underlined by his achievements with Olympiacos, where he guided the Greek giants to three consecutive league titles (2020, 2021, 2022) and the Greek Cup in 2020.
All Eyes on Doha
With tactical nous, continental experience, and silverware ambitions on both sides, the UAE–Qatar Super Cup offers more than just a clash of teams, it delivers a high-stakes duel between two accomplished managers.
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