Real Madrid's former defender takes charge of North Esporte Club in 2027
While North Esporte Club prepares for its national debut, former Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado signs as coach for 2027, a decision that contrasts with the humble trajectory of the fourth‑division team of the Brazilian Championship.
An unexpected signing for an emerging club
North Esporte Club, an entity from Montes Claros in the interior of Minas Gerais, announced this Sunday that Salgado, 50, will be the new manager of the team. The communication, issued by EFE, emphasizes that the club expects to have the experience and winning mentality of a player who wore the shirt of Real Madrid in 371 matches.
The announcement also recalled Salgado's achievements: eleven titles, including two UEFA Champions Leagues and four Spanish Leagues, as well as 53 caps for the Spanish national team. The former full‑back, who played for Real Madrid between 1999 and 2009, also won three Spanish Super Cups, one European Super Cup and one Intercontinental Cup.
In a video released from Dubai, Salgado, speaking in acceptable Portuguese, expressed his enthusiasm: “I like challenges and I am eager to travel to Brazil and ready to achieve great results.” In the same recording he signed the contract alongside president Victor Oliveira.
The coach will replace Brazilian international Kléberson, world champion in 2002, who managed North until this month. Until now, Salgado's experience on the bench was limited to being an assistant to Javier Aguirre with the Egypt national team (2018‑2019) and interim manager of Pafos of Cyprus.
North, founded in 2022 and backed by private capital, won the second division of the Minas Gerais regional championship in 2025 and debuted this year in the first division of the Campeonato Mineiro. After becoming champion of the Independiente Trophy, the club will be able to compete in the fourth division of the Brazilian Championship and the Copa do Brasil in 2027.
Salgado is expected to arrive in Brazil in November, just as North will begin preparations for the next season. It will be his first experience as head coach of a team, marking a milestone both for the club and for the former Real Madrid full‑back.