Jorge Simão

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Jorge Simão

| image = Jorge simao 2024 (cropped).png

| caption = Simão with Boavista in 2024

| fullname = António Jorge Rocha Simão

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|8|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = Pampilhosa da Serra, Portugal

| height =

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 1986–1991 | youthclubs1 = Estrela Amadora

| youthyears2 = 1991–1992 | youthclubs2 = Real Massamá

| youthyears3 = 1992–1995 | youthclubs3 = Estrela Amadora

| years1 = 1995–1996 | clubs1 = Real Massamá | caps1 = | goals1 =

| years2 = 1996–2000 | clubs2 = Atlético Cacém | caps2 = | goals2 =

| years3 = 2001 | clubs3 = Fanhões | caps3 = | goals3 =

| years4 = 2001–2002 | clubs4 = Carregado| caps4 = | goals4 =

| years5 = 2002–2003 | clubs5 = Pêro Pinheiro | caps5 = | goals5 =

| manageryears1 = 2003–2004 | managerclubs1 = Atlético Cacém (assistant)

| manageryears2 = 2004–2005 | managerclubs2 = Sacavenense (assistant)

| manageryears3 = 2005–2007 | managerclubs3 = Odivelas (assistant)

| manageryears4 = 2007–2009 | managerclubs4 = Olivais Moscavide (assistant)

| manageryears5 = 2009 | managerclubs5 = Estrela Amadora (assistant)

| manageryears6 = 2012–2014 | managerclubs6 = Belenenses (assistant)

| manageryears7 = 2014 | managerclubs7 = Atlético

| manageryears8 = 2014–2015 | managerclubs8 = Mafra

| manageryears9 = 2015 | managerclubs9 = Belenenses

| manageryears10 = 2015–2016 | managerclubs10 = Paços Ferreira

| manageryears11 = 2016 | managerclubs11 = Chaves

| manageryears12 = 2016–2017 | managerclubs12 = Braga

| manageryears13 = 2017–2019 | managerclubs13 = Boavista

| manageryears14 = 2019–2020 | managerclubs14 = Al-Fayha

| manageryears15 = 2020–2021 | managerclubs15 = Mouscron

| manageryears16 = 2021 | managerclubs16 = Paços Ferreira

| manageryears17 = 2023 | managerclubs17 = Santa Clara

| manageryears18 = 2023–2024 | managerclubs18 = Académico Viseu

| manageryears19 = 2024 | managerclubs19 = Boavista

}}

António Jorge Rocha Simão (born 12 August 1976) is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a midfielder, currently a manager.

Having played only as an amateur, he began work as an assistant manager at 26, before his first outright position at Atlético in 2014. He led six Primeira Liga clubs, starting with Belenenses.

Football career

Born in Pampilhosa da Serra, Coimbra District, Simão played solely amateur football, emerging through C.F. Estrela da Amadora's youth system and retiring at the age of 26. He started working as a coach in 2003, going on to act as assistant at several clubs.{{cite web|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/entrevista/belenenses/jorge-simao-levanta-a-ponta-do-veu-sobre-um-sonho-secreto|title=Jorge Simão levanta a ponta do véu sobre um sonho secreto|trans-title=Jorge Simão lifts tip of veil on secret dream|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Nuno|last=Travassos|language=pt|date=27 May 2015|access-date=31 August 2017}}

In February 2014, Simão left his assistant position at Primeira Liga side C.F. Os Belenenses and embarked on his first managerial role by accepting an invitation at Segunda Liga's Atlético Clube de Portugal until the end of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/liga_honra/atletico/interior.aspx?content_id=868635|title=Jorge Simão no lugar de Neca|trans-title=Jorge Simão in Neca's place|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=17 February 2014|access-date=28 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225051015/http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/liga_honra/atletico/interior.aspx?content_id=868635|archive-date=25 February 2014}} Despite claiming 16 points from a possible 36, he was unable to prevent his team from finishing bottom,{{cite news|url=http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/2--liga/detalhe/atletico-fc-porto-b-0-1-toze-da-triunfo-a-fechar-882621.html|title=Atlético-FC Porto B, 0–1: Tozé dá triunfo a fechar|trans-title=Atlético-FC Porto B, 0–1: Tozé gives curtain call win|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=11 May 2014|access-date=31 August 2017}} but they were later reinstated as the competition was expanded.{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/jorge-simao/belenenses/apostei-tudo-e-espero-tirar-proveito-da-afirmacao-na-liga|title="Apostei tudo e espero tirar proveito da afirmação na Liga"|trans-title="I bet it all and I hope making a name for myself in the League brings me something"|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Nuno|last=Travassos|language=pt|date=28 May 2015|access-date=9 November 2023}}

Subsequently, Simão joined C.D. Mafra from the third division. On 17 March 2015, however, he moved straight to the top tier at Belenenses, replacing Lito Vidigal at the sixth-placed team.{{cite news|url=http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/belenenses/detalhe/jorge-simao-e-o-novo-treinador-937149.html|title=Jorge Simão é o novo treinador|trans-title=Jorge Simão is the new manager|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=17 March 2015|access-date=31 August 2017}} His debut five days later was a 1–0 loss at Boavista F.C. and his nine-game spell divided equally between results, leaving their position unchanged and qualification for the UEFA Europa League confirmed.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/2--liga/b-sad/detalhe/jorge-simao-a-minha-ideia-nao-era-chegar-aqui-e-por-dotes-magicos-alterar-tudo-938253|title=Jorge Simão: «A minha ideia não era chegar aqui e por dotes mágicos alterar tudo»|trans-title=Jorge Simão: "My idea was not to arrive here and change everything by magic"|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=22 March 2015|access-date=13 January 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/amp/liga/jorge-simao/belenenses-simao-com-saida-confirmada-sa-pinto-a-chegar|title=Belenenses: Simão com saída confirmada, Sá Pinto a chegar|trans-title=Belenenses: Simão with exit confirmed, Sá Pinto to arrive|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Nuno|last=Travassos|language=pt|date=4 June 2015|access-date=13 January 2023}}

In the 2015 off-season, Simão succeeded Paulo Fonseca at the helm of F.C. Paços de Ferreira.{{cite news|url=http://www.jn.pt/desporto/interior/pacos-de-ferreira-anuncia-jorge-simao-como-substituto-do-treinador-paulo-fonseca-4623848.html|title=Paços de Ferreira anuncia Jorge Simão como substituto do treinador Paulo Fonseca|trans-title=Paços de Ferreira announce Jorge Simão as replacement of manager Paulo Fonseca|newspaper=Jornal de Notícias|language=pt|date=14 June 2015|access-date=31 August 2017}} He left at the end of the campaign, after achieving a seventh-place finish.{{cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2016/05/21/desporto/noticia/jorge-simao-deixa-comando-tecnico-do-pacos-de-ferreira-1732670|title=Jorge Simão deixa comando técnico do Paços de Ferreira|trans-title=Jorge Simão no longer in charge of Paços de Ferreira|newspaper=Público|language=pt|date=21 May 2016|access-date=31 August 2017}}

Simão started 2016–17 also in the top flight, with G.D. Chaves.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvregioes.com/jorge-simao-vai-comandar-o-desportivo-de-chaves/|title=Jorge Simão vai comandar o Desportivo de Chaves|trans-title=Jorge Simão will take over Desportivo de Chaves|publisher=TV Regiões|language=pt|date=23 May 2016|access-date=31 August 2017}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} On 17 December 2016, he was appointed at S.C. Braga from the same league as a replacement for dismissed José Peseiro.{{cite web|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/liga/17-12-2016/oficial-jorge-simao-e-o-novo-treinador-do-sp-braga|title=OFICIAL: Jorge Simão é o novo treinador do Sp. Braga|trans-title=OFFICIAL: Jorge Simão is the new manager of Sp. Braga|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|date=17 December 2016|access-date=31 August 2017}} He resigned at the latter in late April 2017, due to poor results.{{cite news|url=http://www.jn.pt/desporto/interior/jorge-simao-pode-sair-ja-do-braga-6243737.html|title=Jorge Simão pode sair já do Braga|trans-title=Jorge Simão may leave Braga already|newspaper=Jornal de Notícias|first1=Vasco|last1=Samouco|first2=Vítor|last2=Santos|language=pt|date=25 April 2017|access-date=31 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira-liga/artigos/oficial-jorge-simao-deixa-o-sc-braga|title=Oficial: Jorge Simão deixa o SC Braga|trans-title=Official: Jorge Simão leaves SC Braga|publisher=SAPO|language=pt|date=26 April 2017|access-date=31 August 2017}}

Simão returned to both active and the Portuguese main division on 14 September 2017, taking over from the fired Miguel Leal at the helm of Boavista.{{cite web|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/liga/benfica/boavista-jorge-simao-e-o-novo-treinador|title=Boavista: Jorge Simão é o novo treinador|trans-title=Boavista: Jorge Simão is the new manager|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Sérgio|last=Pereira|language=pt|date=14 September 2017|access-date=18 September 2017}} His first game in charge was two days later, and his team managed to defeat current champions S.L. Benfica 2–1 at home.{{cite web|url=http://www.tsf.pt/desporto/interior/boavista-recebe-benfica-na-estreia-de-jorge-simao-8776056.html|title=Benfica derrotado no Bessa|trans-title=Benfica defeated at the Bessa|publisher=TSF|language=pt|date=16 September 2017|access-date=18 September 2017}} On 26 January 2019, one point above the relegation places, he left by mutual consent to be replaced by Vidigal.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/boavista/detalhe/jorge-simao-deixa-comando-tecnico-do-boavista|title=Jorge Simão deixa comando técnico do Boavista e Lito Vidigal é chamado|trans-title=Jorge Simão leaves management of Boavista and Lito Vidigal is called up|newspaper=Record|first1=André|last1=Gonçalves|first2=Alexandre|last2=Carvalho|language=pt|date=26 January 2019|access-date=3 August 2019}}

In June that year, Simão's name was discussed by the board of EFL Championship club Middlesbrough for their vacant managerial position, but instead he took his first foreign job at Al-Fayha FC in the Saudi Professional League.{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/17694213.jorge-simao-takes-over-at-al-fayha-not-middlesbrough/|title=Jorge Simao takes over at Al-Fayha not Middlesbrough|newspaper=The Northern Echo|first=Scott|last=Wilson|date=9 June 2019|access-date=3 August 2019}} In late August 2020, he was dismissed with three games remaining and one point above relegation.{{cite news|url=https://observador.pt/2020/08/27/jorge-simao-deixa-comando-tecnico-do-al-fayha-da-arabia-saudita/|title=Jorge Simão deixa comando técnico do Al-Fayha, da Arábia Saudita|trans-title=Jorge Simão leaves helm of Al-Fayha, of Saudi Arabia|newspaper=Observador|language=pt|date=27 August 2020|access-date=1 September 2020}}

On 14 May 2021, having been relegated with Royal Excel Mouscron of the Belgian Pro League, Simão returned to Paços de Ferreira.{{cite news|url=https://www.lesoir.be/372111/article/2021-05-14/jorge-simao-quitte-mouscron-et-retourne-au-portugal-pacos-de-ferreira|title=Jorge Simao quitte Mouscron et retourne au Portugal à Paços de Ferreira|trans-title=Jorge Simão leaves Mouscron and returns to Portugal with Paços de Ferreira|newspaper=Le Soir|language=fr|date=14 May 2021|access-date=31 May 2021}} On 11 December, after eight matches without a win in all competitions and with the side placed 13th in the league, he left by mutual agreement.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/pacos-ferreira/noticias/oficial-jorge-simao-deixa-comando-tecnico-do-pacos-de-ferreira-14399467.html|title=Oficial: Jorge Simão deixa comando técnico do Paços de Ferreira|trans-title=Official: Jorge Simão no longer at the helm of Paços de Ferreira|newspaper=O Jogo|language=pt|date=11 December 2021|access-date=15 December 2021}}

Simão took over from the sacked Mário Silva at C.D. Santa Clara on 11 January 2023, signing a five-month contract.{{cite news|url=https://www.abola.pt/nnh/2023-01-11/santa-clara-jorge-simao-oficializado-como-sucessor-de-mario-silva/971999|title=Jorge Simão oficializado como sucessor de Mário Silva|trans-title=Jorge Simão confirmed as Mário Silva's successor|newspaper=A Bola|language=pt|date=11 January 2023|access-date=12 January 2023}} With two points from seven games, he was dismissed on 26 February.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/santa-clara/noticias/jorge-simao-despedido-do-santa-clara-15907573.html|title=Jorge Simão despedido do Santa Clara|trans-title=Jorge Simão dismissed by Santa Clara|newspaper=O Jogo|first=Henrique|last=Linhares|language=pt|date=26 February 2023|access-date=1 March 2023}}

On 27 October 2023, Simão was appointed as manager of second-division Académico de Viseu F.C. on a deal until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.academicodeviseu.pt/noticia.php?n=331|title=Bem-vindo, Jorge Simão|trans-title=Welcome, Jorge Simão|publisher=Académico Viseu F.C.|language=pt|date=27 October 2023|access-date=27 October 2023}} Before it had ended, however, he returned to the top tier and Boavista on a short-term contract.{{cite news|url=https://www.jn.pt/4624731359/boavista-oficializa-jorge-simao-como-novo-treinador/|title=Boavista oficializa Jorge Simão como novo treinador|trans-title=Boavista make Jorge Simão official as the new manager|newspaper=Jornal de Notícias|language=pt|date=16 April 2024|access-date=20 April 2024}}

Managerial statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan=2\| Team !rowspan=2\| Nat !rowspan=2\| From !rowspan=2\| To !colspan=8\| Record
{{Tooltip\| G\| Games managed}} !{{Tooltip\| W\| Wins}} !{{Tooltip\| D\| Draws}} !{{Tooltip\| L\| Losses}} !{{Tooltip\| Win %\| Winning percentage}}
align=left\|Atlético \| {{Flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|17 February 2014 \|align=left\|12 May 2014 {{WDL\|12\|4\|4\|4}}
align=left\|Mafra \| {{Flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|1 July 2014 \|align=left\|17 March 2015 {{WDL\|25\|15\|4\|6}}
align=left\|Belenenses \| {{Flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|17 March 2015 \|align=left\|23 May 2015 {{WDL\|9\|3\|3\|3}}
align=left\|Paços Ferreira \| {{Flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|14 June 2015 \|align=left\|21 May 2016 {{WDL\|40\|15\|11\|14}}
align=left\|Chaves \| {{Flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|23 May 2016 \|align=left\|17 December 2016 {{WDL\|17\|6\|9\|2}}
align=left\|Braga \| {{Flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|19 December 2016 \|align=left\|23 April 2017 {{WDL\|21\|8\|7\|6}}
align=left\|Boavista \| {{Flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|14 September 2017 \|align=left\|26 January 2019 {{WDL\|52\|18\|10\|24}}
align=left\|Al-Fayha \| {{Flagicon\|Saudi Arabia}} \|align=left\|9 June 2019 \|align=left\|27 August 2020 {{WDL\|30\|9\|8\|13}}
align=left\|Mouscron \| {{Flagicon\|Belgium}} \|align=left\|20 October 2020 \|align=left\|14 May 2021 {{WDL\|26\|7\|7\|12}}
align=left\|Paços Ferreira \| {{Flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|20 May 2021 \|align=left\|11 December 2021 {{WDL\|23\|5\|7\|11}}
align=left\|Santa Clara \| {{Flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|11 January 2023 \|align=left\|26 February 2023 {{WDL\|7\|0\|2\|5}}
align=left\|Académico Viseu \| {{Flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|27 October 2023 \|align=left\|16 April 2024 {{WDL\|22\|7\|10\|5}}
colspan="4"\|Total {{WDLtot\|284\|97\|82\|105}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan=2| Team

!rowspan=2| Nat

!rowspan=2| From

!rowspan=2| To

!colspan=8| Record

!{{Tooltip| W| Wins}}

!{{Tooltip| D| Draws}}

!{{Tooltip| L| Losses}}

!{{Tooltip| Win %| Winning percentage}}

align=left|Atlético