Quick Facts
Biography
Paulo Lourenço Martins Alves (born 10 December 1969) is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a centre forward, and the current coach of F.C. Penafiel.
He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 301 games and 78 goals over the course of 13 seasons, mainly with Gil Vicente (five years). He also represented in the competition C.S. Marítimo, Sporting (three apiece) União de Leiria (two) and Braga.
Alves started coaching in 2005 and went on to be in charge of several clubs, including Gil.
Playing career
Born in Vila Real, Alves moved from local club to FC Porto's youth ranks at 17, but had no success there, moving to Gil Vicente F.C. as a member of which he helped Portugal win the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia – in the group stage opener against Czechoslovakia, he scored a last minute header (his strongest asset) for the game's only goal. Later in his career he also managed 13 caps for the full side, scoring seven times, mostly during the UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying stage and friendlies within that period.
After spells with F.C. Tirsense, C.S. Marítimo (twice) and S.C. Braga, Alves joined Primeira Liga giants Sporting Clube de Portugal, being relatively used during his three-year stay. He also played in England with West Ham United on loan, but managed just four substitute appearances in his three-month stint; upon his return to Lisbon, he notably scored a hat-trick in a 6–3 win at S.C. Campomaiorense.
Alves then spent two seasons with U.D. Leiria, netting six times in 27 matches in his last to help the club to its best ever top flight finish, a fifth position. His second stint at Gil Vicente saw him finish as the club's top scorer for the 2001–02 campaign, with 11 goals in 27 games; he retired in June 2005, at the age of 35.
International goals
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 December 1994 | Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisboa, Portugal |  Liechtenstein | 7–0 | 8–0 | Euro 1996 qualifying |
| 2 | 18 December 1994 | Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisboa, Portugal | Liechtenstein | 8–0 | 8–0 | Euro 1996 qualifying |
| 3 | 29 January 1995 | Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada |  Denmark | 1–0 | 1–0 | SkyDome Cup |
| 4 | 15 August 1995 | Sportpark Eschen-Mauren, Eschen, Liechtenstein | Liechtenstein | 0–4 | 0–7 | Euro 1996 qualifying |
| 5 | 15 August 1995 | Sportpark Eschen-Mauren, Eschen, Liechtenstein | Liechtenstein | 0–5 | 0–7 | Euro 1996 qualifying |
| 6 | 15 August 1995 | Sportpark Eschen-Mauren, Eschen, Liechtenstein | Liechtenstein | 0–7 | 0–7 | Euro 1996 qualifying |
| 7 | 12 December 1995 | Wembley Stadium (1923), London, England |  England | 1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly |
Manager career
After retiring Alves immediately took up coaching, precisely with the Barcelos club. In 2008 he joined another team he played for, Leiria, also in the second division.
Due to poor results in the 2008–09 season Alves was sacked by União de Leiria, but stayed in the category by moving to F.C. Vizela. In the following summer he rejoined former Sporting teammtate Oceano's coaching staff at the Portuguese under-21 side, while also being charged with the under-20s; after a handful of games he resigned and returned to Gil Vicente, winning the 2011 second level championship with the subsequent promotion.
After three years, which also brought a runner-up place in the domestic league cup, Alves replaced former national teammate Abel Xavier at the helm of S.C. Olhanense early into the 2013–14 campaign, being sacked after less than three months in charge and with only one point won in six league games.
Honours
Player
- Sporting
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1996
- Portugal
- FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1989
Manager
- Gil Vicente
- Segunda Liga: 2010–11
- Taça da Liga: Runner-up 2011–12