Place of birth Luanda, Angola Name Joao Pereira 1978–1984 Marinhense Role Footballer | Years Team 1984–1985 Marinhense | |
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Full name Joao Carlos Serra Ferreira Pereira Date of birth (1965-04-11) 11 April 1965 (age 50) | ||
Footbonaut Francisco Pereira
João Carlos Serra Ferreira Pereira (born 11 April 1965) is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a left winger, and a current manager.
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Playing career
Born in Luanda, Angola to Portuguese parents, Pereira started playing football with A.C. Marinhense, and went on to play one season in the second division with the club. From 1985 to 1987 he represented Académica de Coimbra in the Primeira Liga, but was never more than a reserve player.
Pereira retired professionally in June 1990 at the age of only 25, after spells in the second level with Moreirense F.C. and C.D. Trofense.
Manager career
Pereira began coaching aged just 32, starting with Marinhense in division three and moving in 2001 to fellow league side S.C. Pombal. His top flight debuts came in the 2003–04 campaign with another former club, Académica, which he led to the 13th place.
In early 2005, after being fired by the Students, Pereira signed with C.D. Nacional and moved in quick succession to Moreirense, then spent the next year without a club until he joined Kuwait's Al-Tadamun SC. After leading G.D. Estoril Praia to the fourth place in 2008–09's second tier, he returned to the top division by penning a two-year contract with C.F. Os Belenenses, which had previously been relegated only to avoid it later due to C.F. Estrela da Amadora's serious financial problems.
On 21 December 2009, following a series of poor results (culminating in the 0–1 away loss against U.D. Leiria), Pereira resigned at Belenenses although the team was still above the relegation zone – eventually not managing to retain its top flight status. On 9 December of the following year he moved to Cyprus, being appointed at Ermis Aradippou and asking to be released from contract at the end of the season, after they managed to avoid top division relegation by registering a club-record 30 points in the competition, 38 after the second stage.
On 28 November 2011, Pereira replaced countryman João Alves at the helm of Swiss club Servette FC, being replaced in April 2012 by his predecessor. During his tenure the team won four Super League matches, drew two and lost seven.