---
title: "Nicolato sign a short-term deal to stay as a Latvian National team manager"
date: 2025-12-12T11:50:02Z
lang: en
author: "Janis Vitols"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/nicolato-sign-a-short-term-deal-to-stay-as-a-latvian-national-team-manager/
categories: ["Latvia"]
---

# Nicolato sign a short-term deal to stay as a Latvian National team manager
![](https://i0.wp.com/balticfootballnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/LFF_NI_MD_LVA_ALB_10.06.2025-376.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)Photo: LFF

Paolo Nicolato.

**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/](https://lff.lv/zinas/18679/jauns-ligums-ar-paolo-nikolato/)