A battle of minds will take centre stage alongside the action on the pitch when Paulo Sousa and Roberto Mancini go head-to-head in a high-stakes Super Shield encounter between Shabab Al Ahli and Al Sadd.
The UAE–Qatar Super Cup clash kicks off at 8:00 PM on Saturday, 24 January, at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, with the Super Shield on the line and tactical supremacy firmly in focus.
Numbers Behind the Dugouts
Both managers arrive armed with contrasting philosophies and decorated résumés, turning the Super Shield into a compelling contest beyond the touchline.
Paulo Sousa: Stability, Structure, Silverware
For Paulo Sousa, Shabab Al Ahli represents the most significant chapter of his coaching career. Since taking charge, the Portuguese tactician has overseen 71 matches, recording 48 wins, 13 draws, and 10 defeats, while guiding the team to 164 goals scored and 85 conceded.
Sousa’s impact has translated into silverware. He has led the Knights to three major trophies: the ADNOC Pro League title, the UAE President’s Cup during the 2024–2025 season, and the UAE Super Cup in 2024, establishing Shabab Al Ahli as a dominant force domestically.
Before his spell in Dubai, Sousa enjoyed success with FC Basel, lifting the Swiss Super League title in 2014–2015. His managerial journey has also included high-profile stints with Flamengo, Leicester City, and Fiorentina, though without adding further trophies during those spells.
Roberto Mancini: Elite Pedigree, Immediate Impact
On the opposite bench, Roberto Mancini brings global pedigree and championship experience. Since taking charge of Al Sadd on 13 November, the Italian has guided the Doha-based side through eight matches across all competitions, securing six victories and suffering two defeats, with the team scoring 21 goals and conceding 13 under his leadership.
Mancini’s managerial legacy speaks for itself. He famously led the Italy national football team to glory at UEFA Euro 2020, cementing his status among the game’s elite coaches.
At club level, Mancini won three trophies with Manchester City, the Premier League (2011–2012), the FA Cup (2010–2011), and the Community Shield (2012), while his most dominant era came with Inter Milan, where he collected seven titles, including three Serie A championships, two Coppa Italia trophies, and two Italian Super Cups.
His honours list also includes Coppa Italia titles with Fiorentina and Lazio, as well as the Turkish Cup with Galatasaray.
More recently, Mancini held national-team roles with Saudi Arabia national football team and Zenit Saint Petersburg, though without adding to his trophy haul.
Brains Before Brilliance
As Shabab Al Ahli and Al Sadd battle for the Super Shield, the spotlight will shine just as brightly on the benches. Sousa’s structured dominance meets Mancini’s elite winning mentality in a tactical duel where every adjustment, substitution, and press could decide the outcome.
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