José Maria Pedroto
José Maria Pedroto
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José Maria Pedroto

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José Maria Pedroto

José Maria Carvalho Pedroto, OIH (21 October 1928 – 7 January 1985) was a Portuguese football player and manager.

A midfielder, he amassed Primeira Liga totals of 227 matches and 57 goals over 11 seasons, playing for Lusitano, Belenenses and Porto.

After retiring, Pedroto embarked on a coaching career which lasted 22 years (always in the Portuguese top division), going on to become one of Porto's most successful managers.

Born in the village of Almacave in Lamego, Viseu District, Pedroto began his senior career with Lusitano in Vila Real de Santo António, to where he had been relocated to perform his military service. In February 1950, he scored two of his 12 goals for the season in home wins against Porto (3–1) and Sporting CP (2–0), as the Primeira Liga title was eventually awarded to Benfica.

In 1950, the 21-year-old Pedroto signed with Lisbon-based Belenenses after being offered a position in the Navy Ministry. He joined Porto two years later, for 335.000 escudos.

Pedroto won the national championship twice during his spell at the Estádio das Antas, under Dorival Yustrich and Béla Guttmann. He retired at the age of 31, being immediately named his last club's junior coach.

Over five years, Pedroto won 17 caps for Portugal. He made his debut on 20 April 1952, in a 3–0 friendly loss to France.

While still a player, at the age of 25, Pedroto took a coaching course given by the Cândido de Oliveira. Six years later, he became the first Portuguese coach with a specialisation taken at the French Football Federation. After starting his career with Porto juniors, he was appointed field coach for the Portugal under-18 team by manager David Sequerra as they won the 1961 UEFA European Championship, the country's first international title.

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