Manuel José Tavares Fernandes (5 June 1951 – 27 June 2024) was a Portuguese footballstriker and manager.
His playing career was mainly associated with Sporting CP, which he later also coached. At 255 goals in all competitions, he was the second-highest goalscorer in the club's history.[2][3]
Over 19 seasons, in which he also represented two other teams, Fernandes amassed Primeira Liga totals of 486 matches, an all-time record, and 241 goals.[4]
Club career
Born in Sarilhos Pequenos, Moita, Setúbal District, Fernandes started his career with local G.D. Fabril, scoring 43 goals in five years.[5] In 1975 he got his first break, joining Primeira Liga (the only tier he competed in in a career which spanned almost two decades) club Sporting CP, netting more than 250 times in official matches and only trailing legendary Fernando Peyroteo who totalled over 500.[6][4]
Halfway through his career at Sporting, Fernandes accepted an offer from the United States to play for the Rochester Lancers for a season in 1977. Two years later, he returned to North American soil to represent the New England Tea Men, a team based in the Greater Boston area.[7][8][9][6]
In 1985–86, aged 34/35, Fernandes produced his best individual season, scoring 30 goals – and winning the Bola de Prata – for the eventual third-placed side, behind FC Porto and S.L. Benfica.[10][11] On 14 December 1986, he had arguably his finest moment as a professional, when he netted four to help to the 7–1 home demolition of Benfica.[12]
After that season in Lisbon, Fernandes closed out his career at Vitória de Setúbal, reuniting with his former Sporting teammate Rui Jordão,[13] adding a further 20 total goals to his tally and retiring at 37.[5] In his last campaign he notably scored against Sporting in a 2–1 home win, mere minutes after kick-off, and the Sadinos finished in a comfortable eighth place.[14][15]
International career
Fernandes won 31 caps for Portugal, scoring seven goals.[16] Even though he had that stellar campaign with Sporting, he was excluded from the 1986 FIFA World Cup squad, with the tournament being marred by the Saltillo Affair; he still travelled to Mexico courtesy of his club, later telling the media: "But I wasn't in Saltillo. I watched the games and that was it. I went on vacation near Guadalajara."[17]
With Sporting, Fernandes had already served as an assistant to England's Bobby Robson, leaving following the head coach's dismissal. In January 2001 he began a short managerial spell with the Lions,[19]winning the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira before quitting his post later that year.[20]
^"Futebol de luto por Manuel Fernandes" [Football mourns Manuel Fernandes] (in Portuguese). Setúbal Football Association. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
^"Morreu Manuel Fernandes" [Manuel Fernandes has died] (in Portuguese). Sindicato dos Jogadores. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
