The Latvian Football Federation has announced that it has extended the contract of national team head coach Paolo Nicolato until April 2026.
The 58-year-old Italian coach, who took charge of the Latvian national team at the start of 2024, had initially signed a contract that expired at the end of November. One of the key objectives set by the Federation was clear from the beginning: keep Latvia in the UEFA Nations League C Division. That mission is still very much in play, with decisive play-off matches against Gibraltar scheduled for March.
Given the importance of these upcoming fixtures, both sides agreed on a short-term contract extension, allowing Nicolato to see this campaign through before turning the page. Once the play-offs conclude, the coach and the Latvian Football Federation will reconvene to discuss long-term plans and evaluate the direction of the national team.
According to the LFF, the extension provides stability and clarity at a critical moment. “Only after the matches against Gibraltar will we sit down with the coach to talk about the future,” LFF president Vadims Ļašenko noted in the official announcement, emphasizing the federation’s focus on the challenges immediately ahead.
“The upcoming March training camp offers us a great opportunity,” Nicolato said as he reacted to the four-month extension. “I’m happy we’ve reached an agreement that allows us to continue the good work we’ve started. I’m grateful to the LFF board and to the president for their trust.”
Before taking over Latvia, Nicolato worked extensively with various Italian youth national teams. Over his nearly two-year tenure in Latvia, he has overseen 20 matches, recording three victories and seven draws.
Source: https://lff.lv/zinas/18679/jauns-ligums-ar-paolo-nikolato/
