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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5 MAR WED 21:00 |  | H | FC Barcelona | 0 - 1 |
26 FEB WED 21:45 |  | H | SC Braga | 1 - 0 |
22 FEB SAT 19:00 |  | H | Boavista FC | 3 - 0 |
18 FEB TUE 21:00 | | H | AS Monaco | 3 - 3 |
15 FEB SAT 19:00 | | A | Santa Clara | 0 - 1 |
12 FEB WED 21:00 | | A | AS Monaco | 0 - 1 |
8 FEB SAT 19:00 | | H | Moreirense FC | 3 - 2 |
2 FEB SUN 21:30 | | A | Estrela Amadora | 2 - 3 |
29 JAN WED 21:00 | | A | Juventus | 0 - 2 |
25 JAN SAT 19:00 | | A | Casa Pia AC | 3 - 1 |
21 JAN TUE 21:00 | | H | FC Barcelona | 4 - 5 |
17 JAN FRI 21:15 | | H | FC Famalicao | 4 - 0 |
14 JAN TUE 21:15 | | A | SC Farense | 1 - 3 |
11 JAN SAT 20:45 |  | N | Sporting CP | 1 - 1 |
8 JAN WED 20:45 | | N | SC Braga | 3 - 0 |
4 JAN SAT 19:00 | | H | SC Braga | 1 - 2 |
29 DEC SUN 21:30 | | A | Sporting CP | 1 - 0 |
23 DEC MON 19:45 | | H | Estoril Praia | 3 - 0 |
19 DEC THU 18:00 | | A | CD Nacional | 0 - 2 |
15 DEC SUN 19:00 | | A | AFS | 1 - 1 |
11 DEC WED 21:00 | | H | Bologna FC | 0 - 0 |
7 DEC SAT 19:00 | | H | Vitoria SC | 1 - 0 |
1 DEC SUN 19:00 | | A | FC Arouca | 0 - 2 |
27 NOV WED 21:00 | | A | AS Monaco | 2 - 3 |
23 NOV SAT 21:45 | | H | Estrela Amadora | 7 - 0 |
Showing 76–100 of 172 matches