Ricardo Freitas steps down as First Team Manager due to returning to Portugal with his family.

he has been serving as the club’s Assistant Manager since May 26, 2024, after joining Diogo Nobre’s backroom staff, but when Diogo stepped down at Christmas Ricardo stepped into the Manager role for the rest of the season.

Ricardo Freitas is a UEFA A Licensed Coach with experience managing U17 and U15 teams in Scotland (Spartans FC), Finland (TP47), and serving as Assistant Manager in Portugal (Grupo Desportivo Fabril).

This season was a special one for me personally, as it marked my first experience leading a first-team project. It was a challenge I embraced with passion and responsibility, and one that allowed me to grow alongside an incredible group of players.

The campaign was defined by the growth and development of a very young team — a group that faced every obstacle with determination, courage, and ambition. Throughout the season, we witnessed clear progress, both individually and collectively, built on hard work, commitment, and unity.

We stayed true to our footballing identity: positive, supportive, and quality-driven in all phases of the game. That consistency played a key role in our performances and, more importantly, in the development of players who are now more complete and ready for what lies ahead.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our fans, families, the club’s staff, and everyone who supported us during this journey.

The future is bright. It’s been a pleasure

Thank you, Athletic Newham.

Ricardo Freitas 🔴⚪