Silas

Early years and Leiria

Silas was born in Lisbon. He spent two years of his childhood in the academy of Sporting CP, where he received his nickname for his resemblance to Brazilian first-team player Paulo Silas. Following his release, he chose Atlético Clube de Portugal due to its proximity to his grandmother's house in Campolide. After three years there as a professional from 1995, he emigrated to Spain, representing lowly Ceuta who also loaned him for one season to Elche in the Segunda División. During his time in the North African exclave, he was struck by a concrete block when walking past a construction site, and required eleven stitches in his head. Silas first made his name at União de Leiria, with whom he achieved a couple of top six Primeira Liga finishes, also making the Taça de Portugal final in 2003. During 2001–02 he was managed by up-and-coming José Mourinho and, the following campaign, made his first appearance for the Portugal national team, in a 1–0 friendly win over Macedonia on 3 April 2003; he later played against Paraguay and Bolivia.

Wolverhampton and Belenenses

Silas signed for newly promoted Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2003, for an initial fee of £1 million. However, he endured a frustrating time in England, failing to settle in the country and establish himself in the squad; during their doomed season he made a mere nine league appearances, totalling 14 overall. In the summer of 2004, Silas returned to his…

Silas retired at the end of the season, at the age of 40. His first coaching experience was as manager of the Portuguese footballers' union in 2017. On 16 January 2018, Silas replaced Domingos Paciência at former club Belenenses. His first game in charge occurred four days later, and he led his team to a 0–0 away draw against Marítimo. In December 2018 he was named "Manager of the Month", and he achieved final positions of 12th and ninth in his first two years, being dismissed from his position at the reorganised B-SAD on 4 September 2019 when the team had not scored in their first four games of the campaign. Late in the same month, Silas succeeded Leonel Pontes at the helm of Sporting on a contract running until June 2020. On 4 March 2020, he was relieved of his duties and replaced by Braga's Ruben Amorim, who became Sporting's fourth coach of the season. Silas completed his UEFA Pro Licence course on 14 November 2020. The following 1 February, he took over from the dismissed João Pedro Sousa at Famalicão on a one-and-a-half-year deal. He left on 8 March, after his one win in six games left them second from bottom. Silas was appointed head coach of AEL Limassol on 12 May 2022, being fired in September. He returned home on 13 June 2023, on a one-year deal at second-tier Mafra. On 5 September 2024, Silas replaced Fábio Pereira at the helm of Marítimo in the same league. He left one month later, following a run-in with the board of directors.

AEL Limassol

Cypriot First Division: 2011–12 Cova Piedade

Campeonato de Portugal: 2015–16