Pepa

International career Pepa represented Portugal at under-15, under-16, under-17 and under-18 levels. He helped the last of those age groups to win the UEFA European Championship in 1999.

Coaching career In summer 2013, after two years working with Benfica's youth sides, Pepa had his first head coaching experience, being appointed at A.D. Sanjoanense in the regional leagues and helping the club to promote to the third division at the first attempt. In 2015–16 he achieved the same feat with C.D. Feirense of the LigaPro, even though he did not finished the season after being replaced by José Mota for the final two months.

Pepa continued to work in the Portuguese top tier in the following years, with Moreirense F.C. and C.D. Tondela. During his two-year stint at the latter he successfully avoided relegation, but was not retained.

Having started the 2019–20 campaign without a club, Pepa replaced Filó at the helm of F.C. Paços de Ferreira after the fourth matchday, with the team last in the standings. In May 2021, after having led them to fifth place and qualification for the inaugural edition of the UEFA Europa Conference League, he left the Estádio da Mata Real.

Days after leaving Paços, Pepa signed a three-year contract to manage Vitória de Guimarães. He finished sixth in his only season, but he and his coaching staff were dismissed on 12 July 2022, days before the new campaign was due to open against Puskás Akadémia FC in the Conference League.

On 19 July 2022, Pepa was handed his first foreign management job, at Al-Tai FC in the Saudi Pro League. In January 2023, following a 1–0 defeat to Al Wehda FC, he was relieved of his duties.

Pepa switched countries again on 20 March 2023, after being announced as head coach of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Cruzeiro EC. He was sacked on 29 August due to poor results.

On 3 October 2023, Pepa was appointed as manager of Qatar Stars League club Al Ahli SC, on a one-year deal. He returned to Brazil in September of the following year, taking over Sport Club do Recife of Série B. He achieved top-tier promotion in his debut campaign, finishing in third place.

Pepa led his team to victory in the Campeonato Pernambucano on 2 April 2025, defeating Retrô Futebol Clube Brasil after a penalty shoot-out. On 3 May, however, he was dismissed, having failed to win a match at the start of the national league.

Pepa returned to Portugal in 2026–27, on a two-year contract at top-division C.F. Estrela da Amadora.

Career statistics

Managerial statistics

Honours Manager Sport Recife Campeonato Pernambucano: 2025