Vasco Matos

Born in Brandoa in Amadora, Lisbon District, Matos began playing at C.F. Estrela da Amadora at the age of eight before choosing Sporting CP over S.L. Benfica four years later. He never made a first-team appearance for the Lions, instead playing for farm team S.C. Lourinhanense and the reserve team in the third division.^[2]

In 2001, Matos was loaned to S.C. Campomaiorense of the second tier for his first professional experience, and the club's last season at that level. He left for Vitória F.C. where he would make his Primeira Liga debut in 2002–03, albeit in a relegation. The following campaign he played in a cash-strapped F.C. Felgueiras team where he went for five months without pay.^[2]

After representing S.C. Olhanense and S.C. Beira-Mar – the latter being relegated from the top-flight in 2006–07 – Matos had his only experience abroad in February 2008, with FC Rapid București in Romania's Liga I.^[3] That 15 August, he returned to his country's division two with Portimonense S.C. on a two-year deal.^[4]

Matos played four seasons with C.D. Aves again in the second tier, and one each at third-division Sport Benfica e Castelo Branco and U.D. Vilafranquense of the Lisbon Football Association's first district league before retiring in 2016.^[5]

Matos assisted Filipe Coelho at Leixões S.C. and Vilafranquense, and became manager of the third-tier latter side in December 2017 when his mentor moved abroad.^[6][7] He debuted on 10 December with a 2–0 away win against GS Loures,^[8] and finished the season as runners-up to C.D. Mafra before elimination in the play-off semi-finals by S.C. Farense (4–1 aggregate).^[9]

On 6 March 2019, Matos was replaced in his job by Filipe Moreira.^[10] Three months later, he was appointed at nearby F.C. Alverca in the same league.^[11] On 17 October, he led them to a 2–0 home victory over Sporting in the third round of the Taça de Portugal, only the second time that the opposition had been eliminated by a third-division club.^[12] He left by mutual consent on 27 December.^[13]

Matos returned to the game on 5 July 2020 at Casa Pia AC, who had been kept in division two on a court decision.^[14] He left his post still during pre-season, but remained with the team as an assistant manager.^[15] On 20 June 2023, he departed this role at the now top-flight Lisbon club, to take the helm at newly relegated C.D. Santa Clara.^[16] He won promotion in his debut campaign, as champions.^[17]

As of match played 19 May 2024^[18]

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	Nat	From	To	Record								Ref
				G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
Vilafranquense		4 December 2017	6 March 2019	49	27	14	8	70	31	+39	055.10	[19]
Alverca		13 June 2019	27 December 2019	19	12	3	4	37	16	+21	063.16	[20]
Casa Pia		5 July 2020	1 September 2020	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0	!—	[21]
Santa Clara		20 June 2023	Present	40	23	13	4	56	23	+33	057.50	[22]
Total				108	62	30	16	163	70	+93	057.41	—

Santa Clara

• Liga Portugal 2: 2023–24^[17]

• Vasco Matos at ForaDeJogo (archived)
• Vasco Matos national team profile at the Portuguese Football Federation (in Portuguese)
• Vasco Matos at WorldFootball.net
• Vasco Matos at FootballDatabase.eu