SL Benfica - Nélson VeríssimoCurrent
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Current ClubSL Benfica B
Managerial CareerBenfica (1995-1996)
Alverca (1996-2004)
Académica (loan, 1997)
Académica (loan, 1998-1999)
Vitória de Setúbal (2004-2007)
Fátima (2007-2011)
Mafra (2011-2012)
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.
| Season | P | W | D | L | W% | D% | L% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 66.67 % | 16.67 % | 16.67 % |
 NOS League | 5 | 4 | 1 | - | 80 % | 20 % | - |
 Portuguese Cup Placard | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | - | 100 % |
| 2021/22 | 25 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 48 % | 28 % | 24 % |
 Portugal League bwin | 19 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 57.89 % | 21.05 % | 21.05 % |
 UEFA Champions League | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 25 % | 50 % | 25 % |
 Allianz Cup | 2 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 50 % | 50 % |
| Total | 31 | 16 | 8 | 7 | 51.61 % | 25.81 % | 22.58 % |
| By Formation | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | PPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-4-2 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 29 | 19 | 50.0 % | 1.75 |
| 4-1-2-3 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 50.0 % | 1.67 |
| 4-2-1-1-1-1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 50.0 % | 1.75 |
| 4-2-3-1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 100.0 % | 3.00 |
| 4-1-3-2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.0 % | 1.00 |
| 4-2-1-3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 100.0 % | 3.00 |
| All formations | 31 | 16 | 8 | 7 | 54 | 34 | 51.6 % | 1.81 |
Matches he is recorded as picking the team for, by starting formation.
Statistics combine all 2 appointment periods (all now ended).
Statistical Overview
31Total Matches
51.61%Win Rate
54/34Goals For : Against
10Clean Sheets
+20Goal Difference
0-4Biggest Win
3-1Biggest Loss
Recent Matches
View All (31)| Date | Competition | Venue | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
13 MAY FRI 20:15 | Portugal League bwinMatchday 34 | A | 0-2 | |
7 MAY SAT 18:00 | Portugal League bwinMatchday 33 | H | 0-1 | |
30 APR SAT 17:00 | Portugal League bwinMatchday 32 | A | 0-1 | |
23 APR SAT 18:00 | Portugal League bwinMatchday 31 | H | 0-0 | |
17 APR SUN 20:30 | Portugal League bwinMatchday 30 | A | 0-2 |
