Ricardo Soares

Coaching career Early years, Vizela and Chaves Soares started working as a manager in 2005 at the age of 30, with amateur side Clube Caçadores das Taipas.

On 18 December 2016, Soares was appointed at Primeira Liga club G.D. Chaves, replacing S.C. Braga-bound Jorge Simão. His first game took place four days later, a 1–0 home win against G.D. Estoril Praia.

Aves, Académica and Covilhã In May 2017, Soares moved to another top-flight club, C.D. Aves on a two-year deal. He left on 2 October, with the team in last place on six points from eight matches.

Soares returned to the second tier on 14 November 2017, succeeding Ivo Vieira at Académica de Coimbra. He left by mutual accord the following 1 April having won half of his 18 fixtures, and as the side was placed fifth and four points off a promotion place.

After over a year out of the game, Soares was hired by S.C. Covilhã on 20 May 2019, replacing F.C. Paços de Ferreira-bound Filó.

Moreirense and Gil Vicente On 18 December 2019, with his Covilhã team ranked seventh, Soares returned to the top flight by succeeding sacked Vítor Campelos at the helm of Moreirense FC. He left the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas in November 2020, feeling he was not able to maximise his players' potential.

Shortly after, Soares was appointed at Gil Vicente F.C. of the same league. In 2021–22, he led the team to fifth place and a European debut in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Al Ahly In June 2022, Soares moved abroad for the first time in his career, paying €250,000 to release himself from his Gil Vicente contract ahead of a two-year deal at Egypt's Al Ahly SC; his new annual salary was €1.5 million. On his debut on 2 July, the team won 2–0 at home to Petrojet SC in the semi-finals of the national cup. His Premier League bow was a goalless draw at El Gouna FC three days later.

In the cup final on 21 July 2022, Soares' side lost 2–1 to local rivals Zamalek SC, led by veteran compatriot Jesualdo Ferreira. He was dismissed on 31 August, having failed to take the league title back from the same adversary; having slipped behind a third Cairo side, Pyramids FC, Al Ahly finished outside the top two for the first time since 1991–92.

Estoril Soares returned to Portugal and its main division on 28 February 2023, on a one-and-a-half-year contract at Estoril. He terminated his deal one year early, having concluded the season with the team raised one place to 14th position.

Beijing Guoan On 15 June 2023, Soares was appointed as the new head coach of Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan FC. He left on 10 December 2024, having achieved 30 wins, 11 draws and 13 losses in his 54 games in charge.

Changchun Yatai Soares remained in the Chinese top division for the 2025 campaign, with Changchun Yatai FC; he had taken a sabbatical from coaching to recover from a physical problem that greatly limited his mobility. After being relegated as last, he severed his ties by mutual consent.

Managerial statistics