Manuel Gourlade (25 October 1872 – 1 January 1944) was the first manager of S.L. Benfica and one of driving forces that led to the creation of Sport Lisboa that 4 years later would be known as Sport Lisboa e Benfica.[1]
Gourlade was born in Lisbon, came from a family with money, studied at Colégio Nobre de Carvalho and worked as an employee at Fármacia Franco (a community pharmacy) where a meeting took place for the signing of Sport Lisboa foundation act. He was chosen to do treasury management in the Administrative Board.[2]
He helped funding the club with his own money: the ball bought from Lisbon Cricket Club for 150$ Reais, the translation from English to Portuguese, of the Laws of the game for 2500$ Reais, plus ordered from London, a whistle and another 3 balls.[3] He managed the club for 2 seasons, with a total of 16 games resulting in 8 wins and 8 losses. Later, Cosme Damião replaced him as coach.[4]
He remained close to the club but because all of the expenses he had made for Benfica he took a toll on his finances and died from poverty in Campolide.[2]
Campeonato de Portugal (no lega) Winners (5): 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908
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