SL Benfica - Nélson VeríssimoCurrent
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Playing Career
Benfica (1995-1996)
Alverca (1996-2004)
Académica (loan, 1997)
Académica (loan, 1998-1999)
Vitória de Setúbal (2004-2007)
Fátima (2007-2011)
Mafra (2011-2012)
Born in Vila Franca de Xira on 17 April 1977, Nélson Veríssimo came through the Benfica ranks as a centre-back, though his first-team opportunities at the Luz were limited.
A dependable defender across more than 400 senior matches, he went on to represent Alverca, Académica, Vitória de Setúbal and Fátima, totalling 221 Primeira Liga appearances. He won the Taça de Portugal with Vitória de Setúbal in 2004/05 and the Portuguese Second Division with Fátima in 2008/09.
Veríssimo returned to Benfica immediately on retiring in 2012, working as an assistant with the B team and then with the first team. He took caretaker charge of the senior side in July 2020 before being appointed head coach of Benfica B that December.
In December 2021 he was again entrusted with the first team, leading the Eagles to the Taça da Liga final and to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they went out to Liverpool after eliminating Ajax.
He managed Estoril Praia from July 2022 to February 2023 before returning to the Caixa Futebol Campus in July 2023 as Benfica B head coach, a role in which he remains, having signed a new two-year contract in 2026.
A dependable defender across more than 400 senior matches, he went on to represent Alverca, Académica, Vitória de Setúbal and Fátima, totalling 221 Primeira Liga appearances. He won the Taça de Portugal with Vitória de Setúbal in 2004/05 and the Portuguese Second Division with Fátima in 2008/09.
Veríssimo returned to Benfica immediately on retiring in 2012, working as an assistant with the B team and then with the first team. He took caretaker charge of the senior side in July 2020 before being appointed head coach of Benfica B that December.
In December 2021 he was again entrusted with the first team, leading the Eagles to the Taça da Liga final and to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they went out to Liverpool after eliminating Ajax.
He managed Estoril Praia from July 2022 to February 2023 before returning to the Caixa Futebol Campus in July 2023 as Benfica B head coach, a role in which he remains, having signed a new two-year contract in 2026.
Coaching Philosophy
Veríssimo favours patient build-up from the goalkeeper and centre-backs, with a high defensive block and a readiness to go direct into two strikers when opponents press aggressively.
He is pragmatic in shape, most often a 4-4-2 but switching to 4-2-3-1 or a back five against stronger opposition.
SL Benfica - Manager Statistics
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All Managed Matches
Show Recent| Date | Competition | Venue | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
23 JUL THU 19:00 |  | A | FC St.Gallen | 2 - 1 |
16 MAY SAT 20:30 |  | A | Estoril Praia | 1 - 3 |
11 MAY MON 20:15 | | H | SC Braga | 2 - 2 |
2 MAY SAT 18:00 | | A | FC Famalicao | 2 - 2 |
25 APR SAT 18:00 | | H | Moreirense FC | 4 - 1 |
19 APR SUN 18:00 | | A | Sporting CP | 1 - 2 |
12 APR SUN 18:00 | | H | CD Nacional | 2 - 0 |
6 APR MON 20:30 | | A | Casa Pia AC | 1 - 1 |
21 MAR SAT 18:00 | | H | Vitoria SC | 3 - 0 |
14 MAR SAT 20:30 | | A | FC Arouca | 1 - 2 |
8 MAR SUN 18:00 | | H | FC Porto | 2 - 2 |
2 MAR MON 20:15 | | A | Gil Vicente FC | 1 - 2 |
25 FEB WED 20:00 |  | A | Real Madrid | 2 - 1 |
21 FEB SAT 18:00 | | H | AFS | 3 - 0 |
17 FEB TUE 20:00 | | H | Real Madrid | 0 - 1 |
13 FEB FRI 18:30 | | A | Santa Clara | 1 - 2 |
8 FEB SUN 20:30 | | H | FC Alverca | 2 - 1 |
1 FEB SUN 15:30 | | A | CD Tondela | 0 - 0 |
28 JAN WED 20:00 | | H | Real Madrid | 4 - 2 |
25 JAN SUN 18:00 | | H | Estrela Amadora | 4 - 0 |
21 JAN WED 20:00 | | A | Juventus | 2 - 0 |
17 JAN SAT 20:30 | | A | Rio Ave FC | 0 - 2 |
14 JAN WED 20:45 |  | A | FC Porto | 1 - 0 |
7 JAN WED 20:00 |  | N | SC Braga | 1 - 3 |
3 JAN SAT 18:00 | | H | Estoril Praia | 3 - 1 |
Showing 1–25 of 172 matches