Mário Silva (footballer)

Silva was born in Porto. Having grown through the ranks of local Boavista^[1] he went on to represent Nantes,^[2] Porto, Recreativo de Huelva and Cádiz,^[3] returning to Boavista in June 2006^[4] and leaving after two seasons due to unpaid wages, in a litigation that would only be concluded in March 2010.^[5]

Silva enjoyed his best years while with Porto, playing second fiddle to Nuno Valente on a side that won the 2002–03 UEFA Cup and the following campaign's UEFA Champions League while also adding back-to-back Primeira Liga titles under José Mourinho.^[6] Also at the club, on 27 March 2002, he earned his sole cap for the Portugal national team, appearing in a 4–1 friendly home defeat against Finland.^[7]

Midway through 2008–09, Silva moved countries again and joined Doxa Katokopias of the Cypriot First Division.^[8] However, he was released after only a couple of months, and retired in the summer after not being able to find a new team.

In 2010, Silva began working as a manager, acting as both youth and assistant coach in Boavista (the latter already in the main squad). In June of the following year, with the team still in the third division, he was appointed as Filipe Gouveia's successor.^[9]

Silva resigned from his position just five months into the season, citing lack of payment as the reason for his departure.^[10] He subsequently returned to Porto, going on to act as manager for several youth sides^[11] and leading the under-19s to the 2018–19 UEFA Youth League;^[12] he was, however, replaced by Tulipa shortly after.^[13]

In September 2019, Silva was appointed director of academy at Spanish Segunda División club Almería, where his compatriot Pedro Emanuel was the coach.^[14][15] The following 26 June, he took the reins of the main squad until the end of the campaign,^[16][17] but was dismissed on 27 July just before the start of the promotion play-offs.^[18]

Days after leaving Spain, Silva was given his first top-flight job in his country, replacing Carlos Carvalhal at Rio Ave.^[19] In the Europa League, the team were eliminated in the playoffs by AC Milan after conceding an equaliser in the last minute of extra time and losing 9–8 on penalties.^[20] He left on 30 December 2020, with them in 13th.^[21]

Silva became Santa Clara's fourth manager of the season on 10 January 2022, signing a short-term contract.^[22] He concluded the campaign in seventh place and signed a new deal until 2024, but was sacked near the anniversary of his appointment, with the Azoreans in 15th position after as many games.^[23]

On 7 July 2024, Silva was appointed at Saudi First Division League's Al-Najma.^[24] He achieved promotion to the Pro League in his debut campaign, finishing second to Neom;^[25][26] on 8 February 2026, however, having collected just five points from 20 matches and with his side in last place, he was relieved of his duties.^[27]

As of match played 5 February 2026

Player

Boavista

• Taça de Portugal: 1996–97^[32]
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1997^[33]

Nantes

• Ligue 1: 2000–01^[2]

Porto

• Primeira Liga: 2002–03, 2003–04^[34]
• Taça de Portugal: 2002–03^[34]
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2001^[33]
• UEFA Champions League: 2003–04^[34]
• UEFA Cup: 2002–03^[6]

Portugal

• UEFA European Under-18 Championship: 1994