Rui Vitória

Vitória was born in Alverca do Ribatejo, Vila Franca de Xira. During his career, in which he played for five clubs, he never competed in higher than the third division (four seasons), also spending eleven years in the fourth. He mainly represented U.D. Vilafranquense, in the Lisbon area. A midfielder, Vitória retired as a player in 2003, aged 32.

Early years and Fátima

After starting as a manager with his main team Vilafranquense, Vitória moved in 2004 to Benfica, spending two seasons with its junior side. In 2006, Vitória signed for Fátima, helping the club promote to the second level in his first season, followed by immediate relegation back. In 2008–09, again as champion, he again led the side to division two.

Paços de Ferreira

On 2 June 2010, Vitória replaced Ulisses Morais at the helm of Paços de Ferreira. In his first season in the top division, he guided the team to the seventh position in the league, also achieving runner-up honours in the domestic League Cup, which was won by Benfica (2–1).

Vitória de Guimarães

In late August 2011, Vitória replaced fired Manuel Machado as the manager of Vitória de Guimarães. In his second year, he led the club to the conquest of the Portuguese Cup against Benfica (2–1), in a first-ever for the Minho Province side. Later, on 10 August 2013, he was runner-up in the Supertaça, losing 3–0 to Porto.

Benfica

On 15 June 2015, Portuguese champions Benfica announced that Vitória had signed a three-year contract with the club. He started the season by losing the Supertaça 1–0 to Lisbon rivals Sporting. Despite a troubled start, Benfica secured a third Primeira Liga title in a row and 35th overall with a 4–1 win over Nacional at the Estádio da Luz on the final matchday, establishing a Portuguese league record of 88 points in 34 matches. Also, with…

Managerial

Fátima

Segunda Divisão: 2008–09 Vitória Guimarães

Taça de Portugal: 2012–13 Benfica

Primeira Liga: 2015–16, 2016–17 Taça de Portugal: 2016–17 Taça da Liga: 2015–16 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2016, 2017 Al-Nassr

Saudi Professional League: 2018–19 Saudi Super Cup: 2019

Individual

Primeira Liga – Best Coach: 2015–16, 2016–17 Saudi Professional League Manager of the Month: March 2019, October 2019, August 2020