José Gomes (football manager)

Early career

Born in Matosinhos, Gomes started coaching in his early 20s, beginning with the youth teams of Clube Futebol de Valadares. He also worked as an assistant at F.C. Paços de Ferreira and S.C. Covilhã.

From 1998 to 2003, Gomes worked as a fitness coach with Gil Vicente FC, Paços and S.L. Benfica.^[2] He started 2003–04 as manager of Paços in the Primeira Liga, and was fired after seven losses in the first eight games; the club's season eventually ended in relegation.^[3]

Gomes spent most of the following years in the Segunda Liga. In 2005–06 he had his second spell in Portugal's top division, drawing two matches and losing five at U.D. Leiria.^[4]

In late May 2008, Gomes was hired by FC Porto as part of Jesualdo Ferreira's staff. He spent four seasons as Ferreira's assistant at Porto, Málaga CF and Panathinaikos FC.^[5][6]

Videoton

On 20 January 2013, Videoton FC appointed Gomes as their new manager; he replaced his compatriot Paulo Sousa at the helm of the Hungarian side.^[7] He led the team to fourth place in Nemzeti Bajnokság I in his only full season,^[8] also losing the final of the Ligakupa to Diósgyőri VTK (2–1).^[9]

Arabia

Gomes then spent two seasons as head coach of Al Taawoun FC in the Saudi Professional League. On 30 May 2016 he joined Al-Ahli Saudi FC in the same league, signing a three-year deal after Christian Gross did not renew his contract.^[10] In early October, however, he was sacked and replaced by Gross.^[11]

Days later, Gomes succeeded Pablo Repetto at UAE Pro League's Baniyas Club who were struggling at the start of the campaign.^[12] He was fired on 28 January 2017 with the team still in last place, having taken four points from 12 games.^[13]

Gomes returned to Al Taawoun on 20 March 2017, following the dismissal of Constantin Gâlcă.^[14] He was succeeded by countryman Pedro Emanuel on 7 May the following year.^[15]

Rio Ave

On 13 June 2018, Gomes returned to his country's top flight after over a decade away, signing for one season at Rio Ave FC.^[16] His debut on 26 July was a 1–0 defeat away to Jagiellonia Białystok in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League,^[17] being eliminated after a 4–4 draw in the return game at the Estádio dos Arcos.^[18]

Reading

Gomes was appointed coach of EFL Championship club Reading on 22 December 2018, replacing caretaker Scott Marshall.^[19] With only two home defeats in the second half of the season, his side avoided relegation.^[20]

On 9 October 2019, after just two league wins from 11 matches in the new campaign, Gomes left.^[21]

Marítimo

On 14 November 2019, Gomes was named manager of C.S. Marítimo.^[22] In his only season in charge, he led the team to the 11th position in the Portuguese top tier.^[23]

Almería

On 27 July 2020, Gomes took over for fellow Portuguese Mário Silva at the helm of Spanish Segunda División side UD Almería, shortly before the promotion play-offs began.^[24] They were eliminated 3–1 on aggregate by Girona FC.^[25]

Gomes was dismissed by owner Turki Al-Sheikh on 27 April 2021 even though the team stood third in the table after achieving several away wins in a row during the season, in which he rarely fielded the same starting XI. He received a standing ovation from his players in the dressing room after delivering his farewell speech.^[26][27]

Return to Al Taawoun

On 22 August 2021, Gomes was appointed at Al Taawoun for the third time, taking over from the fired Nestor El Maestro.^[28] He left the club by mutual consent on 20 March 2022.^[29]

Ponferradina and Marítimo return

Gomes returned to Spain and its second tier on 13 June 2022, after being named manager of SD Ponferradina.^[30] He resigned on 19 November, immediately after a 1–1 home draw with Real Oviedo during a run of one win in ten.^[31]

On 14 December 2022, Gomes went back to Marítimo, signing for the second-from-bottom team as their third manager of the season after Vasco Seabra and João Henriques.^[32] The Madeira side were eventually relegated via the play-offs, falling to the second division for the first time in 38 years after a penalty shootout defeat to C.F. Estrela da Amadora.^[33]

Chaves

Gomes remained in the top flight in 2023–24, on a contract at G.D. Chaves.^[34] On 19 September, after five league losses in as many games and 17 goals conceded, he was dismissed.^[35]

Zamalek

In February 2024, Gomes was appointed head coach of Zamalek SC in the Egyptian Premier League until July 2025.^[36] Three months later, he guided the team to their second title in the CAF Confederation Cup by winning against RS Berkane in the final on the away goals rule, following a 2–2 aggregate draw.^[37] He achieved his second trophy on 27 September, beating rivals Al Ahly SC on penalties to claim the CAF Super Cup.^[38]

Gomes announced his departure on 11 December 2024.^[39]

Al Fateh

On 15 December 2024, Gomes returned to the Saudi main division by joining Al Fateh SC on an initial one-year deal.^[40] In his second match in charge, his bottom-placed side were trounced 9–0 at leaders Al Hilal SFC, managed by his compatriot Jorge Jesus; it was the heaviest loss of his career.^[41] He went on to easily avoid relegation, notably beating eventual champions Al-Ittihad Club 2–0 at home.^[42][43]