RC Strasbourg Alsace have identified Famalicao manager Hugo Oliveira as the leading candidate to fill their managerial vacancy, according to reports from Portugal and France.
The 47-year-old Portuguese coach has overtaken former Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy and Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen in the race to succeed Gary O’Neil, who left the Ligue 1 club to join Ipswich Town earlier this month.
Managerial Instability at Le Racing
Oliveira’s emergence marks the third time in 2026 that Strasbourg have searched for a new manager. The club had initially considered the appointment a contest between two primary candidates, with Nancy positioned as an early favourite and Knutsen also under consideration.
However, L’Équipe understands that Knutsen may now be out of the running, whilst the position might not be offered to Nancy either. A Bola reports that Oliveira has instead become the new frontrunner for the role.
Oliveira’s Credentials
The Famalicao manager arrives with significant experience from the Portuguese top flight, having guided his current club to a fifth-place finish in the Primeira Liga last season.
Oliveira previously served as an assistant to Marco Silva, working alongside the former Fulham manager during his spells at Everton, Watford, and Hull City. This Premier League background could prove valuable as Strasbourg look to establish stability in France’s top division.
Compensation and Next Steps
Strasbourg face a significant financial outlay to secure Oliveira’s services. Sources indicate that a transfer worth €4 million is currently in the works to release him from his contract with the Portuguese club.
The potential appointment comes as Strasbourg seek to halt a year of managerial turnover. Securing Oliveira would bring a coach with recent top-five experience in Portugal, though he would face the immediate challenge of adapting to French football’s demands.
The situation remains fluid, with the club yet to confirm any final decision. Should negotiations with Oliveira falter, Strasbourg may yet return to their previous shortlist, though the direction of travel currently points toward the Portuguese coach taking charge at Stade de la Meinau.