Miguel Cardoso (football manager)

Early career

Born in Trofa, Cardoso graduated in Physical Education and Sports with specialization in football in 1995 and concluded a Masters in Sports Science in 1998 in the College of Sports Science and Physical Education at the University of Porto.^[1] He started his coaching career in 1993, taking over S.C. Espinho's under-12 squad.^[2]

Cardoso joined FC Porto in 1996, initially as Fernando Freitas' assistant in the under-10 team.^[3] He later progressed through the club's youth setup, becoming a fitness coach of the B-team in 1999,^[4] and being appointed in charge of the under-15s in 2003.^[5]

In April 2004, Cardoso moved to C.F. Os Belenenses and became the first team's fitness coach.^[6] On 10 May 2006, he followed former Belenenses manager Carlos Carvalhal to S.C. Braga, with the same role.^[7]

In September 2007, Cardoso was named Domingos Paciência's assistant at Associação Académica de Coimbra.^[8] He continued to work as Paciência's second man at Braga, Sporting CP^[9] and Deportivo de La Coruña.^[10]

Shakhtar Donetsk

On 12 June 2013, Cardoso was presented at FC Shakhtar Donetsk, being appointed manager of the under-21 squad while also working as a coordinator for the club's youth setup.^[11] Ahead of the 2016–17 season, he became Paulo Fonseca's assistant at the first team.

Cardoso left Shakhtar on 8 June 2017.^[12]

Rio Ave

On 12 June 2017, Cardoso was appointed at the helm of Primeira Liga club Rio Ave F.C., replacing departing Luís Castro.^[13] After achieving three wins and a draw against S.L. Benfica in his first four matches in charge, he was awarded the "Manager of the Month" for August.^[14]

Cardoso led Rio Ave to a best-ever campaign in the top flight, finishing fifth (the club's best-ever position shared with the 1981–82 season under Félix Mourinho), winning 51 points (beating the 50 reached by Pedro Martins in 2015–16) and achieving qualification to the UEFA Europa League.^[15]

Nantes

On 13 June 2018, Cardoso was appointed as manager of French Ligue 1 side FC Nantes, replacing Claudio Ranieri.^[16] He left the club on 2 October, after only obtaining six points in eight league matches.^[17]

Celta Vigo

On 12 November 2018, Cardoso took over La Liga side RC Celta de Vigo, in the place of sacked Antonio Mohamed.^[18] He gained international attention for his first press conference, in which he accidentally said that he was the manager of their rivals Deportivo de La Coruña.^[19] The following 3 March he too was dismissed, with the Galicians a place and two points above the relegation zone.^[20]

AEK Athens

On 28 May 2019, Cardoso was appointed as head coach of Greek Super League side AEK Athens F.C., replacing Manolo Jiménez on a two-year deal.^[21] He was fired on 25 August after just four matches, his third dismissal in twelve months.^[22]

Rio Ave

After over a year out of work, Cardoso returned to Rio Ave on 29 January 2021, on an 18-month deal.^[23] His team came 16th, and had to face F.C. Arouca in a play-off for top-flight survival. They lost 5–0 on aggregate;^[24] between the two games the termination of his employment was informally arranged, and he was barred from the training ground.^[25]

Espérance de Tunis

On 12 January 2024, Cardoso was appointed as head coach of Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 side Espérance Sportive de Tunis, replacing Tarek Thabet.^[26]

Mamelodi Sundowns

After being sacked by Espérance in October 2024 following a poor start to the season, South African Premiership club Mamelodi Sundowns appointed Cardoso in December 2024.^[27] In the 24-25 season, Cardoso won the South African Premiership with Sundowns while finishing as runner-ups in the CAF Champions League. In the 25-26 season, Sundowns won the CAF Champions League while finishing as runner-ups in the Premiership.^[28]