SL Benfica - Bruno Lage
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Last ClubSL Benfica
Managerial CareerSL Benfica B
SL Benfica
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Botafogo
SL Benfica
SL Benfica
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Botafogo
SL Benfica
Born in Setúbal on 12 May 1976, Bruno Lage never made it as a professional player, turning to coaching in his early twenties with the Vitória de Setúbal youth ranks in 1997.
He joined the Benfica academy in 2004 and spent eight years working through every age group at Seixal, helping to develop players such as João Cancelo. Between 2015 and 2018 he was assistant to Carlos Carvalhal at Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City, before returning to take charge of Benfica B.
On 3 January 2019 Lage was promoted to the first team and transformed the season, leading the Eagles to the 2018/19 Primeira Liga title and then the 2019 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. Named Portuguese Coach of the Year for 2019, he left the club in June 2020.
Spells followed at Wolverhampton Wanderers (2021 to October 2022) and at Botafogo in Brazil (July to October 2023).
Lage returned to the Estádio da Luz on 5 September 2024 for a second spell, winning the 2024/25 Taça da Liga and the 2025 Supertaça, and leaving in September 2025. He was subsequently appointed head coach of Saudi Pro League side Diriyah Club for their debut 2026/27 campaign.
He joined the Benfica academy in 2004 and spent eight years working through every age group at Seixal, helping to develop players such as João Cancelo. Between 2015 and 2018 he was assistant to Carlos Carvalhal at Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City, before returning to take charge of Benfica B.
On 3 January 2019 Lage was promoted to the first team and transformed the season, leading the Eagles to the 2018/19 Primeira Liga title and then the 2019 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. Named Portuguese Coach of the Year for 2019, he left the club in June 2020.
Spells followed at Wolverhampton Wanderers (2021 to October 2022) and at Botafogo in Brazil (July to October 2023).
Lage returned to the Estádio da Luz on 5 September 2024 for a second spell, winning the 2024/25 Taça da Liga and the 2025 Supertaça, and leaving in September 2025. He was subsequently appointed head coach of Saudi Pro League side Diriyah Club for their debut 2026/27 campaign.
Coaching Philosophy
Lage's football is built on aggressive counter-pressing and quick vertical transitions, with his sides seeking to dominate the ball and attack through central overloads while staying compact out of possession.
He is tactically flexible, moving between a 4-4-2 and a 4-3-3 that becomes an attacking 2-3-5 shape in build-up.
| Season | P | W | D | L | W% | D% | L% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018/19 | 29 | 23 | 2 | 4 | 79.31 % | 6.9 % | 13.79 % |
 NOS League | 19 | 18 | 1 | - | 94.74 % | 5.26 % | - |
 UEFA Europa League | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 50 % | 16.67 % | 33.33 % |
 Portuguese Cup Placard | 3 | 2 | - | 1 | 66.67 % | - | 33.33 % |
 Allianz Cup | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | - | 100 % |
| 2019/20 | 47 | 28 | 10 | 9 | 59.57 % | 21.28 % | 19.15 % |
 NOS League | 29 | 20 | 4 | 5 | 68.97 % | 13.79 % | 17.24 % |
| Portuguese Cup Placard | 6 | 5 | 1 | - | 83.33 % | 16.67 % | - |
 UEFA Champions League | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 33.33 % | 16.67 % | 50 % |
 Allianz Cup | 3 | - | 3 | - | - | 100 % | - |
| UEFA Europa League | 2 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 50 % | 50 % |
 Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup | 1 | 1 | - | - | 100 % | - | - |
| 2024/25 | 56 | 38 | 8 | 10 | 67.86 % | 14.29 % | 17.86 % |
 Portugal League Betclic | 30 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 76.67 % | 13.33 % | 10 % |
| UEFA Champions League | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 41.67 % | 16.67 % | 41.67 % |
| Portuguese Cup Generali Tranquilidade | 7 | 6 | - | 1 | 85.71 % | - | 14.29 % |
 FIFA Club World Cup | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50 % | 25 % | 25 % |
 Allianz Cup | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | 66.67 % | 33.33 % | - |
| 2025/26 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 70 % | 20 % | 10 % |
 Portugal League Betclic | 4 | 3 | 1 | - | 75 % | 25 % | - |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifying | 4 | 3 | 1 | - | 75 % | 25 % | - |
 Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup Betano | 1 | 1 | - | - | 100 % | - | - |
| UEFA Champions League | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | - | 100 % |
| Total | 142 | 96 | 22 | 24 | 67.61 % | 15.49 % | 16.9 % |
| By Formation | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | PPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-4-2 | 55 | 40 | 8 | 7 | 132 | 47 | 72.7 % | 2.33 |
| 4-2-3-1 | 51 | 33 | 8 | 10 | 126 | 61 | 64.7 % | 2.10 |
| 4-2-1-3 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 12 | 33.3 % | 1.44 |
| 4-1-2-3 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 83.3 % | 2.50 |
| 4-1-3-2 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 83.3 % | 2.50 |
| 4-2-1-1-1-1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 80.0 % | 2.60 |
| 3-4-3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 75.0 % | 2.25 |
| 3-2-3-2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 100.0 % | 3.00 |
| 4-1-1-1-3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 100.0 % | 3.00 |
| 4-2-2-2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 100.0 % | 3.00 |
| 4-1-1-1-1-2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 % | 0.00 |
| 4-5-1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.0 % | 1.00 |
| 5-3-2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 % | 0.00 |
| All formations | 142 | 96 | 22 | 24 | 336 | 136 | 67.6 % | 2.18 |
Matches he is recorded as picking the team for, by starting formation.
Statistics combine all 2 appointment periods (all now ended).
Statistical Overview
142Total Matches
67.61%Win Rate
336/136Goals For : Against
63Clean Sheets
+200Goal Difference
10-0Biggest Win
4-1Biggest Loss
Recent Matches
View All (142)| Date | Competition | Venue | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
16 SEP TUE 20:00 | UEFA Champions LeagueMatchday 1 | H | 2-3 | |
12 SEP FRI 20:15 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 5 | H | 1-1 | |
31 AUG SUN 18:00 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 4 | A | 1-2 | |
27 AUG WED 20:00 | UEFA Champions League QualifyingPlay-off Round (2nd Leg) | H | 1-0 | |
23 AUG SAT 20:30 | Portugal League BetclicMatchday 3 | H | 3-0 |
