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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
28 DEC SUN 18:00 |  | A | SC Braga | 2 - 2 |
22 DEC MON 20:45 | | H | FC Famalicao | 1 - 0 |
17 DEC WED 20:45 |  | A | SC Farense | 0 - 2 |
14 DEC SUN 18:00 | | A | Moreirense FC | 0 - 4 |
10 DEC WED 20:00 |  | H | SSC Napoli | 2 - 0 |
5 DEC FRI 20:15 | | H | Sporting CP | 1 - 1 |
29 NOV SAT 18:00 | | A | CD Nacional | 1 - 2 |
25 NOV TUE 17:45 | | A | Ajax | 0 - 2 |
21 NOV FRI 20:15 | | A | Atlético CP | 0 - 2 |
9 NOV SUN 20:30 | | H | Casa Pia AC | 2 - 2 |
5 NOV WED 20:00 | | H | Bayer Leverkusen | 0 - 1 |
1 NOV SAT 20:30 | | A | Vitoria SC | 0 - 3 |
29 OCT WED 20:45 |  | H | CD Tondela | 3 - 0 |
25 OCT SAT 20:30 | | H | FC Arouca | 5 - 0 |
21 OCT TUE 20:00 | | A | Newcastle United | 3 - 0 |
17 OCT FRI 19:30 | | A | GD Chaves | 0 - 2 |
5 OCT SUN 21:15 | | A | FC Porto | 0 - 0 |
30 SEP TUE 20:00 | | A | Chelsea FC | 1 - 0 |
26 SEP FRI 20:15 | | H | Gil Vicente FC | 2 - 1 |
23 SEP TUE 20:15 | | H | Rio Ave FC | 1 - 1 |
20 SEP SAT 18:00 | | A | AFS | 0 - 3 |
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 |
Showing 26–50 of 172 matches