Vasco director leaves and joins Greece's PAOK

The end of the road for Léo Matos at São Januário. The former right-back is leaving Vasco’s football department to take on a new challenge in Europe. He has accepted an offer to become the new sporting director of PAOK in Greece.

According to information originally published by ge, the professional is no longer part of the Rio club’s staff.

Léo Matos’ journey behind the scenes at Cruz-Maltino began in January 2023, when he hung up his boots. Shortly after retiring, he accepted an invitation from Paulo Bracks — who was in charge of the SAF at the time — to take over as technical and transition manager.

As a player, the defender wore the Vasco shirt starting in 2020. In total, he spent three seasons on the pitch, making 89 appearances and scoring six goals.

Now, the former athlete returns to a familiar destination. Léo Matos is considered a historic PAOK idol, a club he played for over five years and where he won two Greek Championships and three Greek Cups.

See the farewell message he posted on social media:

“The time has come to close a very special chapter of my life at Vasco da Gama. It was six years of living the day-to-day life of this gigantic club intensely. First on the pitch, as a player, experiencing things that made me understand even more the greatness of the institution and the unmatched passion of its supporters.

Throughout this journey, I built friendships that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. After all, it is in the most challenging moments that the truest bonds and the most genuine relationships are formed.

I thank all the club’s professionals for our daily coexistence, for their dedication, commitment, and the passion with which they perform their roles for Vasco.

I would also like to give special thanks to the people who played a fundamental role in my transition from being an athlete to working in football administration.

To Paulo Bracks, my deepest gratitude for believing in my potential beyond the pitch. In December 2022, I received the invitation to join Vasco’s football department, an opportunity that opened a new professional horizon, allowing me to learn, grow, and closely take part in the management processes of a major club.

To Felipe and Pedrinho, I thank you for your trust, support, and backing since the arrival of the new management in June 2024. After the departure of 777 Partners, you believed in my work and kept me at the club. I am certain that a great part of my career development and the opportunities I am experiencing today also come from the trust you placed in me.

It was a privilege to work alongside you and to closely follow a management team led with seriousness, responsibility, professionalism, and above all, love for Vasco da Gama.

I leave with a grateful heart, carrying lessons, friendships, and memories that I will keep forever. Vasco will be part of my story for the rest of my life.

Thank you very much.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.