João Alves

Lore & Background

Born in Albergaria-a-Velha, Aveiro District, Alves started playing at youth level for Sanjoanense, before being recruited in 1969 by Benfica. His first professional team was Varzim in the 1972–73 season, followed by Montijo, the latter being his first Primeira Liga experience. Alves moved to his first major club, Boavista, for the 1974–75 campaign, where he first showed more of his talent, earning him a transfer to Spain's Salamanca, where he remained two more years. He then returned to Portugal and Benfica, only to move after one year to Paris Saint-Germain. Failing to impress in France, Alves immediately moved back to the Estádio da Luz, where he would play for the next three seasons. He then re-joined Boavista, ending his career during 1984–85 at the age of 32 to become the latter team's coach. Alves won two national championships for Benfica (1981 and 1983) and four Portuguese Cups (two for Boavista, in 1975 and 1976, and two with the former side, in 1981 and 1983). He also played for them in the 1982–83 UEFA Cup final, losing on aggregate to Anderlecht of Belgium. Alves won 36 caps for Portugal (11 for Boavista, eight for Salamanca and 17 for Benfica), scoring three goals. His debut took place on 13 November 1974 in a 0–3 friendly loss to Switzerland, and his final match was on 27 April 1983, in a 0–5 loss against the Soviet Union for the UEFA Euro 1984 qualifiers.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicked the grass at the Luz, turning the pitch into a battlefield under the floodlights. João Alves stood tall in the red and white kit, mud already staining his socks. The crowd roared as the opposition striker broke through on goal, eyes locked on the corner of the net. In a split second, Alves exploded forward, spreading his arms wide to block the path. The ball bounced harmlessly away, and the stadium erupted in relief. He pointed to the stands, breathing hard, knowing he had done his job.

Reader's Guide

Alves became a coach after finishing his player career, managing Boavista on three separate occasions, Estrela Amadora (leading the Amadora team to an historical 1990 Cup of Portugal triumph), Vitória de Guimarães, Belenenses, Salamanca, Campomaiorense, Farense, Académica de Coimbra and Leixões. In 1996–97, he was one of three managers as former side Salamanca returned to La Liga after a second-place finish. After three years out of coaching, he returned to Benfica in 2007, to be in charge of its under-18 team. Two years later, he returned to senior football, signing with Switzerland's Servette and achieving promotion to the Super League in his second season. On 28 November 2011, following Swiss Cup elimination at the hands of Biel-Benne (0–3 away loss), Alves was relieved of his duties. However, following poor results achieved by his successor and the club's takeover by Hugh Quennec, he was reinstated as manager in April 2012: in the final five games of the campaign results improved, with the team achieving four wins and one draw – this included a 2–1 win over eventual champions Basel, which ended Servette's streak of 17 consecutive defeats against that opponent as well as ending their 26-match unbeaten run – and the side eventually qualified for the UEFA Europa League. On 9 October 2018, after six years of inactivity, Alves returned for another spell as Académica coach, with the club now in the LigaPro. He left at the end of the season, and came back to management on 9 January 2020 with Cova da Piedade, last-placed in the same league. They were relegated in May when the campaign was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he openly attacked the Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional for the decision.

Did You Know?

• Alves earned the nickname Luvas Pretas from the black gloves he wore, following the style of his grandfather Carlos Alves.
• He won two national championships for Benfica (1981 and 1983) and four Portuguese Cups (two for Boavista in 1975 and 1976, and two with Benfica in 1981 and 1983).
• Alves played for Benfica in the 1982–83 UEFA Cup final, losing on aggregate to Anderlecht.
• He won 36 caps for Portugal, scoring three goals.