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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2 APR TUE 21:45 |  | H | Sporting CP | 2 - 2 |
29 MAR FRI 19:00 |  | H | GD Chaves | 1 - 0 |
17 MAR SUN 19:00 | | A | Casa Pia AC | 0 - 1 |
14 MAR THU 18:45 |  | A | Rangers FC | 0 - 1 |
10 MAR SUN 21:30 | | H | Estoril Praia | 3 - 1 |
7 MAR THU 21:00 | | H | Rangers FC | 2 - 2 |
3 MAR SUN 21:30 | | A | FC Porto | 5 - 0 |
29 FEB THU 21:45 | | A | Sporting CP | 2 - 1 |
25 FEB SUN 19:00 | | H | Portimonense | 4 - 0 |
22 FEB THU 18:45 | | A | Toulouse FC | 0 - 0 |
18 FEB SUN 19:00 | | H | FC Vizela | 6 - 1 |
15 FEB THU 21:00 | | H | Toulouse FC | 2 - 1 |
11 FEB SUN 21:30 | | A | Vitoria SC | 2 - 2 |
8 FEB THU 21:45 | | A | FC Vizela | 1 - 2 |
4 FEB SUN 19:00 | | H | Gil Vicente FC | 3 - 0 |
29 JAN MON 19:45 | | A | Estrela Amadora | 1 - 4 |
24 JAN WED 20:45 |  | N | Estoril Praia | 1 - 1 |
19 JAN FRI 21:15 | | H | Boavista FC | 2 - 0 |
14 JAN SUN 19:00 | | H | Rio Ave FC | 4 - 1 |
10 JAN WED 21:45 | | H | SC Braga | 3 - 2 |
6 JAN SAT 19:00 | | A | FC Arouca | 0 - 3 |
29 DEC FRI 19:45 | | H | FC Famalicao | 3 - 0 |
21 DEC THU 21:15 | | H | AFS | 4 - 1 |
17 DEC SUN 21:30 | | A | SC Braga | 0 - 1 |
12 DEC TUE 21:00 |  | A | RB Salzburg | 1 - 3 |
Showing 126–150 of 172 matches