SL Benfica - Bruno Lage
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Playing Career
SL Benfica B
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.
SL Benfica - Manager Statistics
CompareShare CardStatistical Overview
70
Total Matches
67.14%
Win Rate
47 W / 11 D / 12 L160 / 63
Goals (For : Against)
Avg: 2.29 / 0.9 per game35
Clean Sheets
50% of matches+97
Goal Difference
(+1.39 per game)7-0
Biggest Win
vs Estrela Amadora11/23/2024 20:45
1-4
Biggest Loss
vs Chelsea FC06/28/2025 16:00
Analytics
Win Rate & Points Per Game by Season
All Results
Form — Last 10 Matches
Performance by Competition
| Competition | P | W | D | L | W% | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 28 | 6 | 4 | 73.7 % | 91 | 30 | +61 | |
| 17 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 47.1 % | 28 | 22 | +6 | |
| 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 85.7 % | 23 | 4 | +19 | |
| 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50 % | 10 | 6 | +4 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 % | 7 | 1 | +6 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 % | 1 | 0 | +1 |
Head-to-Head Records
View All (35)| Opponent | P | W | D | L | W% | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sporting CP | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 20 % | 4 | 6 |
| Estrela Amadora | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100 % | 12 | 2 |
| Santa Clara | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75 % | 9 | 2 |
| SC Braga | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50 % | 6 | 3 |
| AS Monaco | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.7 % | 7 | 5 |
| FC Barcelona | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 % | 5 | 9 |
| SC Farense | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100 % | 8 | 4 |
| AFS | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50 % | 7 | 1 |
| Bayern Munique | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50 % | 1 | 1 |
| Boavista FC | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 % | 6 | 0 |
Top 10 of 35 opponents by matches played under this manager.
All Managed Matches
Show Recent| Date | Competition | Venue | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
16 SEP TUE 20:00 |  | H | Qarabağ FK | 2 - 3 |
12 SEP FRI 20:15 |  | H | Santa Clara | 1 - 1 |
31 AUG SUN 18:00 | | A | FC Alverca | 1 - 2 |
27 AUG WED 20:00 | | H | Fenerbahçe SK | 1 - 0 |
23 AUG SAT 20:30 | | H | CD Tondela | 3 - 0 |
20 AUG WED 20:00 | | A | Fenerbahçe SK | 0 - 0 |
16 AUG SAT 20:30 | | A | Estrela Amadora | 0 - 1 |
12 AUG TUE 19:00 | | H | OGC Nice | 2 - 0 |
6 AUG WED 20:00 | | A | OGC Nice | 0 - 2 |
31 JUL THU 20:45 |  | N | Sporting CP | 0 - 1 |
28 JUN SAT 16:00 |  | N | Chelsea FC | 1 - 4 |
24 JUN TUE 15:00 | | N | Bayern Munique | 1 - 0 |
20 JUN FRI 12:00 | | N | Auckland City FC | 6 - 0 |
16 JUN MON 18:00 | | N | Boca Juniors | 2 - 2 |
25 MAY SUN 17:15 |  | N | Sporting CP | 3 - 1 |
17 MAY SAT 18:00 | | A | SC Braga | 1 - 1 |
10 MAY SAT 18:00 | | H | Sporting CP | 1 - 1 |
3 MAY SAT 20:30 | | A | Estoril Praia | 1 - 2 |
27 APR SUN 18:00 | | H | AFS | 6 - 0 |
23 APR WED 20:15 | | H | FC Tirsense | 4 - 0 |
19 APR SAT 20:30 | | A | Vitoria SC | 0 - 3 |
13 APR SUN 18:00 | | H | FC Arouca | 2 - 2 |
9 APR WED 20:45 | | A | FC Tirsense | 0 - 5 |
6 APR SUN 20:30 | | A | FC Porto | 1 - 4 |
2 APR WED 20:15 | | H | SC Farense | 3 - 2 |
Showing 1–25 of 70 matches