Who is Sergio Conceicao? The Porto boss who is already a coaching legend

Tom Weber

• Updated: 19 Apr 2024 12:24 CDT
• 4 min read

Sergio Conceicao is already arguably FC Porto's greatest-ever coach despite being just 49 years of age.

He is already the manager with the most games in the Dragons' dugout and he is also closing in on becoming Portuguese football's most decorated tactician. Yet, outside of his home country, Conceicao's achievements are rarely talked about except when his side meets English opposition in the Champions League such as when they play Liverpool or Arsenal.

The 49-year-old is one of Portugal's best-ever coaches, so who is Sergio Conceicao and how good is he really?

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What team does Conceicao manage?

Conceicao is in charge of Porto and has been since June 8, 2017.

What formation does Conceicao play?

Conceicao primarily plays a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2.

How good is Conceicao?

A talented midfielder and winger during his playing days, former Portugal international Sergio Conceicao retired from football in 2009 and took his first steps in senior management at Olhanense in the Portuguese top flight in January 2012. However, he left the club just a year later over unpaid wages. After another short stint, this time at hometown club Academica, whom he helped to avoid relegation, Conceicao took on his first big job by joining Braga in 2014.

At Braga, however, the theme of temporary employment continued. Despite leading the club back into European competition by finishing fourth and reaching a cup final, he was sacked off the back of losing said cup final to Sporting after a heated discussion with Braga's president. After two more very brief stints at Vitoria Guimaraes and Nantes in Ligue 1, Conceicao went back to Portugal to live closer to his family, returning to ex-club Porto.

The rest, as they say, is history. Conceicao has been in charge of the Dragons since 2017 and has now overseen the most matches in club history. At the time of writing, he is just two trophies short of matching Jorge Jesus' record Portuguese haul of 12, having won 10 himself to date. In his first season at Porto, Conceicao led the club to their first league title in five years. At 49 years of age, he is already a coaching legend at one of the biggest clubs in Portugal.

To date, Conceicao has won three league titles, three cups, three super cups and he claimed the first league cup in Porto's history. Under Conceicao, Porto have never missed out on qualification to the Champions League, though he is yet to lead them beyond the quarter-final stage, often faltering against economically superior English sides such as Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal in recent years. In 2023/24, Arsenal needed penalties to overcome Conceicao's excellent team in the Champions League round of 16.

Despite the impressive showing against the Gunners, Conceicao's teams are some way off the summit domestically this term. Porto last won the Portuguese league in 2021/22. Two of Conceicao's four sons, Rodrigo and Francisco, have played under him for the Dragons. The latter is currently on loan from Ajax after joining them from Porto in 2022. Despite his success, Sergio Conceicao's time at Porto could be coming to an end this summer as his contract is expiring.

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What trophies has Conceicao won?

Conceicao has won three league titles, three cups, three super cups and one league cup with Porto.

Who has Conceicao managed previously?

Conceicao was in charge of in charge of Olhanense, Academica, Braga, Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal and Nantes in France before taking charge of Porto.

How old is Conceicao?

Conceicao was born on November 15, 1974, making him 49 years old.