Arema FC Responds to Concerns Over Ze Gomes’s Appointment

Arema FC's decision to hire Jose Manuel Gomes da Silva, commonly known as Ze Gomes, as the new head coach has raised eyebrows, especially considering his less-than-impressive coaching record. The 48-year-old Portuguese coach's most recent tenure was in 2022 with Coimbra in Portugal’s Liga 2, where he failed to win any of the 10 matches he managed.



In response to these concerns, Arema FC's General Manager, Yusrinal Fitriandi, acknowledged that Ze Gomes' past results might not stand out, and he even admitted that Joel Cornelli, his predecessor, had a more accomplished coaching background. However, Yusrinal emphasized that Gomes' appointment aligns with the team’s current needs. He clarified that the decision was made following discussions among the club's management, directors, and coaching staff, ensuring that it was part of a well-thought-out plan.

Yusrinal also pointed out that Arema FC has experienced frequent managerial changes in the past three years, with five coaches hired during that time. Despite this, he expressed confidence that the current squad is solid, stating that the team’s chemistry has already been established. He referred to the team’s successful performance under caretaker coach Kuncoro, who led them to two consecutive victories, proving that the squad could perform well under different leadership.

Additionally, Yusrinal hinted that non-football-related factors played a role in Joel Cornelli’s departure but chose not to elaborate further. He suggested that Ze Gomes was chosen because he was well-suited to handle these non-technical aspects, such as maintaining a healthy locker room atmosphere and keeping the squad unified. The GM assured that the decision to bring in Ze Gomes was not made on a whim and that the focus remains on the team’s overall cohesion, which they believe is crucial for ongoing success.