Maccabi Tel Aviv is pleased to announce the appointment of Lito Vidigal as its new Head Coach. Lito, 47, former national team player and coach of his native Angola, joins Maccabi from FC Arouca of Portugal where he has been coaching since 2015. Lito, is set to land in Israel in the coming days and sign a 1.5-year-deal with an option for another season.
Sports Director Jordi Cruyff told the clubs’ official website: “Lito has been on our radar for some time. He brings with him a level of tactical nous, work ethic and ambition which fits ideally with our culture. I believe that with the support of the whole Maccabi family, Lito, will be able to help Maccabi fulfill its ambitions.” 
Lito, added: “I am excited and happy to be joining this fantastic Club. I would like to thank everyone especially the Owner, Mitch Goldhar, for their confidence in me and I assure everyone that I will work tirelessly for success”.
Club owner, Mitch Goldhar, said: “We have a lot of work ahead of us and I believe that Lito has the right qualities and is the right fit for our Club. Together with all our fans wish him the best in his new role.”
Immediately after retiring from a playing career at the age of 35 with Santa Clara of Portugal, Lito, began his coaching career with Pontassolense in 2004.
Since then he been coaching Ribeirao, Estrella Amadora, Portimonense, Uniao Leirra, the Angola national team, AEL Limassol of Cyprus, Belenenses which he 
guided to European qualification before joining Arouca as coach in 2015. Having won promotion to the Portuguese top flight, Lito guided Arouca to fifth place in the league and European berth.
After knocking out Dutch side Heracles in the 3rd qualifying round, Lito and Arouca missed out on the Europa League group stage with a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Olympiacos in the Playoffs. Lito has since guided Arouca to 9th in the Portuguese table with 28 points from 21 matches.
