Ricardo Soares

{{short description|Portuguese football manager and former player (born 1974)}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Ricardo Soares

| image = Ricardo soares 2023.png

| caption = Soares in 2023

| fullname = José Ricardo Soares Ribeiro

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|11|11|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Felgueiras, Portugal

| height =

| position = Winger

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 1989–1990 | youthclubs1 = Felgueiras

| youthyears2 = 1990–1993 | youthclubs2 = Vitória Guimarães

| years1 = 1993–1994 | clubs1 = Vizela | caps1 = 8 | goals1 = 2

| years2 = 1994–1995 | clubs2 = Lixa | caps2 = 22 | goals2 = 0

| years3 = 1995–1996 | clubs3 = Freamunde | caps3 = 20 | goals3 = 3

| years4 = 1996–1997 | clubs4 = Lousada | caps4 = 20 | goals4 = 0

| years5 = 1997–1998 | clubs5 = Lixa | caps5 = 27 | goals5 = 4

| years6 = 1998 | clubs6 = Felgueiras | caps6 = 1 | goals6 = 0

| years7 = 1998–1999 | clubs7 = Fafe | caps7 = 26 | goals7 = 6

| years8 = 1999 | clubs8 = Felgueiras | caps8 = 3 | goals8 = 0

| years9 = 1999–2000 | clubs9 = Trofense | caps9 = 24 | goals9 = 4

| years10 = 2000–2001 | clubs10 = Vizela | caps10 = 30 | goals10 = 3

| years11 = 2001–2003 | clubs11 = Paredes | caps11 = 55 | goals11 = 6

| years12 = 2003–2004 | clubs12 = Felgueiras | caps12 = 3 | goals12 = 0

| years13 = 2004–2005 | clubs13 = Sandinenses | caps13 = | goals13 =

| totalcaps = 239 | totalgoals = 28

| manageryears1 = 2005–2007 | managerclubs1 = Caçadores Taipas

| manageryears2 = 2007 | managerclubs2 = {{ill|G.D.U. Torcatense|lt=Torcatense|pt|Grupo Desportivo União Torcatense}}

| manageryears3 = 2009–2011 | managerclubs3 = Lixa

| manageryears4 = 2011–2012 | managerclubs4 = Académico Felgueiras

| manageryears5 = 2012–2013 | managerclubs5 = Felgueiras 1932

| manageryears6 = 2013 | managerclubs6 = Ribeirão

| manageryears7 = 2014–2015 | managerclubs7 = Felgueiras 1932

| manageryears8 = 2015–2016 | managerclubs8 = Vizela

| manageryears9 = 2016–2017 | managerclubs9 = Chaves

| manageryears10 = 2017 | managerclubs10 = Aves

| manageryears11 = 2017–2018 | managerclubs11 = Académica

| manageryears12 = 2019 | managerclubs12 = Covilhã

| manageryears13 = 2019–2020 | managerclubs13 = Moreirense

| manageryears14 = 2020–2022 | managerclubs14 = Gil Vicente

| manageryears15 = 2022 | managerclubs15 = Al Ahly

| manageryears16 = 2023 | managerclubs16 = Estoril

| manageryears17 = 2023–2024 | managerclubs17 = Beijing Guoan

}}

José Ricardo Soares Ribeiro (born 11 November 1974), known as Soares, is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a winger, currently a manager.

After a playing career spent almost entirely at the amateur level, he began managing in 2005, and took Vizela to the second tier eleven years later. He led Chaves, Aves, Moreirense, Gil Vicente and Estoril in the Primeira Liga, had a brief spell at Al Ahly in Egypt and spent one year in the Chinese Super League with Beijing Guoan.

Playing career

Born in Felgueiras, Soares' professional input as a player consisted of seven Segunda Liga games for his hometown club F.C. Felgueiras, over three seasons in as many spells. He amassed third division totals of 232 matches and 28 goals during his 12-year senior career, representing seven teams in the competition.{{cite web|url=https://reflexodigital.com/RicardoSoareseonovotreinadordoTaipas/|title=Ricardo Soares é o novo treinador do Taipas|trans-title=Ricardo Soares is the new manager of Taipas|publisher=Reflexo Digital|first=Paulo|last=Dumas|language=pt|date=20 November 2005|access-date=14 November 2020}}

Coaching career

=Early years, Vizela and Chaves=

Soares started working as a manager in 2005 at the age of 30, with amateur side Clube Caçadores das Taipas. Having signed with F.C. Vizela in the summer of 2014, he achieved promotion to the second level at the end of the 2015–16 campaign.{{cite web|url=http://www.sabado.pt/ultima-hora/detalhe/fafe-e-vizela-lutam-pela-subida-de-divisao-com-braganca-na-expectativa|title=Fafe e Vizela lutam pela subida de divisão com Bragança na expectativa|trans-title=Fafe and Vizela fight for promotion with Bragança looking on|publisher=Sábado|language=pt|date=6 May 2016|access-date=2 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://radiovizela.pt/noticia-ricardo-soares-quer-continuar-a-fazer-historia-no-fc-vizela-|title=Ricardo Soares quer continuar a fazer história no FC Vizela|trans-title=Ricardo Soares wants to keep making history at FC Vizela|publisher=Rádio Vizela|language=pt|date=16 June 2016|access-date=2 June 2017}}

On 18 December 2016, Soares was appointed at Primeira Liga club G.D. Chaves, replacing S.C. Braga-bound Jorge Simão.{{cite web|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/liga/ii-liga/oficial-ricardo-soares-sucede-a-jorge-simao-no-desp-chaves|title=OFICIAL: Ricardo Soares sucede a Jorge Simão no Desp. Chaves|trans-title=OFFICIAL: Ricardo Soares succeeds Jorge Simão in Desp. Chaves|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|date=18 December 2016|access-date=2 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gdchaves.pt/new/375|title=Nova equipa técnica apresentada|trans-title=New technical staff presented|publisher=G.D. Chaves|language=pt|date=20 December 2016|access-date=8 May 2017}} His first game took place four days later, a 1–0 home win against G.D. Estoril Praia.{{cite web|url=http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/ricardo-soares/liga/vitoria-e-essencialmente-dos-jogadores-mas-tambem-do-jorge-simao|title=«Vitória é essencialmente dos jogadores mas também do Jorge Simão»|trans-title="Players ultimately won this but so did Jorge Simão"|publisher=Mais Futebol|first=Diogo|last=Caldas|language=pt|date=22 December 2016|access-date=2 June 2017}}

=Aves, Académica and Covilhã=

In May 2017, Soares moved to another top-flight club, C.D. Aves on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://pt.besoccer.com/noticia/oficial-ricardo-soares-e-o-novo-treinador-do-desp-aves|title=OFICIAL: Ricardo Soares é o novo treinador do Desp. Aves|trans-title=OFFICIAL: Ricardo Soares is the new manager of Desp. Aves|publisher=Be Soccer|first=João|last=Sampaio|language=pt|date=27 May 2017|access-date=29 August 2019}} He left on 2 October, with the team in last place on six points from eight matches.{{cite news|url=https://www.jn.pt/desporto/interior/aves-confirma-saida-de-ricardo-soares-8816093.html|title=Aves confirma saída de Ricardo Soares|trans-title=Aves confirm Ricardo Soares' exit|newspaper=Jornal de Notícias|language=pt|date=2 October 2017|access-date=29 August 2019}}

Soares returned to the second tier on 14 November 2017, succeeding Ivo Vieira at Académica de Coimbra.{{cite web|url=https://rr.sapo.pt/noticia/98289/oficial-academica-aposta-em-ricardo-soares|title=Oficial. Académica aposta em Ricardo Soares|trans-title=Official. Académica bet on Ricardo Soares|publisher=Rádio Renascença|language=pt|date=14 November 2017|access-date=29 August 2019}} He left by mutual accord the following 1 April having won half of his 18 fixtures, and as the side was placed fifth and four points off a promotion place.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/2--liga/academica/detalhe/ricardo-soares-rescinde|title=Ricardo Soares rescinde|trans-title=Ricardo Soares rescinds|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=1 April 2018|access-date=29 August 2019}}

After over a year out of the game, Soares was hired by S.C. Covilhã on 20 May 2019, replacing F.C. Paços de Ferreira-bound Filó.{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/segunda-liga/artigos/ricardo-soares-sucede-a-filo-no-comando-tecnico-do-sporting-da-covilha|title=Ricardo Soares sucede a Filó no comando técnico do Sporting da Covilhã|trans-title=Ricardo Soares succeeds Filó at the helm of Sporting da Covilhã|publisher=SAPO|language=pt|date=20 May 2019|access-date=29 August 2019}}

=Moreirense and Gil Vicente=

On 18 December 2019, with his Covilhã team ranked seventh, Soares returned to the top flight by succeeding sacked Vítor Campelos at the helm of Moreirense FC.{{cite web|url=https://tvi24.iol.pt/liga/18-12-2019/oficial-ricardo-soares-e-o-novo-treinador-do-moreirense|title=OFICIAL: Ricardo Soares é o novo treinador do Moreirense|trans-title=OFFICIAL: Ricardo Soares is the new manager of Moreirense|publisher=TVI 24|language=pt|date=18 December 2019|access-date=24 December 2019}} He left the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas in November 2020, feeling he was not able to maximise his players' potential.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/moreirense/noticias/o-motivo-que-levou-a-saida-de-ricardo-soares-e-o-principal-candidato-a-sucessao-13018423.html|title=O motivo que levou à saída de Ricardo Soares e o principal candidato à sucessão|trans-title=The reason for Ricardo Soares' departure and the main candidate to succeed him|newspaper=O Jogo|first1=André|last1=Morais|first2=Lino|last2=Devesas|language=pt|date=10 November 2020|access-date=14 November 2020}}

Shortly after, Soares was appointed at Gil Vicente F.C. of the same league.{{cite news|url=https://observador.pt/2020/11/13/ricardo-soares-substitui-rui-almeida-no-comando-tecnico-do-gil-vicente/|title=Ricardo Soares substitui Rui Almeida no comando técnico do Gil Vicente|trans-title=Ricardo Soares replaces Rui Almeida at the helm of Gil Vicente|newspaper=Observador|language=pt|date=13 November 2020|access-date=14 November 2020}} In 2021–22, he led the team to fifth place and a European debut in the UEFA Europa Conference League.{{cite web|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/futebol-nacional/ricardo-soares-de-corpo-e-alma-no-gil-vicente-e-a-preparar-a-proxima-epoca_d1404971|title=Ricardo Soares de "corpo e alma" no Gil Vicente e a preparar a próxima época|trans-title=Ricardo Soares "body and soul" in Gil Vicente and preparing for next season|publisher=Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|language=pt|date=13 May 2022|access-date=22 May 2022}}

=Al Ahly=

In June 2022, Soares moved abroad for the first time in his career, paying €250,000 to release himself from his Gil Vicente contract ahead of a two-year deal at Egypt's Al Ahly SC. His new annual salary was €1.5 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.kingfut.com/2022/06/28/gil-vicente-confirm-departure-ricardo-soares/|title=OFFICIAL: Gil Vicente confirm departure of Al Ahly-bound Ricardo Soares|publisher=KingFut|first=Seif|last=Soliman|date=28 June 2022|access-date=28 June 2022}} On his debut on 2 July, the team won 2–0 at home to Petrojet SC in the semi-finals of the national cup;{{cite web|url=https://www.kingfut.com/2022/07/02/al-ahly-soares-win-petrojet/|title=Soares’ Al Ahly era begins with Egypt Cup semi-final win over Petrojet|publisher=KingFut|first=Ahmed|last=El-Ramady|date=2 July 2022|access-date=12 July 2022}} his Premier League bow was a goalless draw at El Gouna FC three days later.{{cite web|url=https://en.africatopsports.com/2022/07/06/6th-draw-undermines-al-ahly-premier-league-top-spot-chances/|title=6th draw undermines Al Ahly Premier League top spot chances|publisher=Africa Top Sports|date=6 July 2022|access-date=12 July 2022}}

In the cup final on 21 July 2022, Soares' side lost 2–1 to local rivals Zamalek SC, led by veteran compatriot Jesualdo Ferreira.{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/internacional/portugueses/noticias/duelo-portugues-zamalek-de-jesualdo-ferreira-conquista-taca-do-egito-ao-al-ahly-de-ricardo-soares-15038823.html|title=Duelo português: Zamalek, de Jesualdo Ferreira, conquista Taça do Egito ao Al Ahly, de Ricardo Soares|trans-title=Portuguese duel: Jesualdo Ferreira's Zamalek conquer Egypt Cup against Ricardo Soares' Al Ahly|language=pt|date=21 July 2022|access-date=18 November 2022}} He was dismissed on 31 August, having failed to take the league title back from the same adversary; having slipped behind a third Cairo side, Pyramids FC, Al Ahly finished outside the top two for the first time since 1991–92.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/62738208|title=Al Ahly sack Ricardo Soares two months after replacing Pitso Mosimane as boss|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2022|access-date=17 November 2022}}

=Estoril=

Soares returned to Portugal and its main division on 28 February 2023, on a one-and-a-half-year contract at Estoril.{{cite news|url=https://www.jn.pt/desporto/ricardo-soares-e-o-novo-treinador-do-estoril-15918852.html|title=Ricardo Soares é o novo treinador do Estoril|trans-title=Ricardo Soares is the new manager of Estoril|newspaper=Jornal de Notícias|language=pt|date=28 February 2023|access-date=1 March 2023}} He terminated his deal one year early, having concluded the season with the team raised one place to 14th position.{{cite news|url=https://observador.pt/2023/06/08/ricardo-soares-deixa-comando-tecnico-do-estoril-praia/|title=Ricardo Soares deixa comando técnico do Estoril Praia|trans-title=Ricardo Sousa leaves the helm of Estoril Praia|newspaper=Observador|language=pt|date=8 June 2023|access-date=9 June 2023}}

=Beijing Guoan=

On 15 June 2023, Soares was appointed as the new head coach of Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan FC.{{cite web|url=https://dongqiudi.com/articles/3514279.html|title=官方：葡萄牙籍教练里卡多-苏亚雷斯执教北京国安|trans-title=Official: Portugal's Ricardo Soares to manage Beijing Guoan|publisher=Dongqiudi|first=Lei|last=Jieshen|language=zh|date=15 June 2023|access-date=15 June 2023}} He left on 10 December 2024, having achieved 30 wins, 11 draws and 13 losses in his 54 games in charge.{{cite web|url=https://www.dongqiudi.com/articles/4776711.html|title=官方：苏亚雷斯不再担任北京国安队主教练一职|trans-title=Beijing Guoan official: team manager Ricardo Soares resigns|publisher=Dongqiudi|language=zh|date=10 December 2024|access-date=10 December 2024}}

Managerial statistics

{{updated|match played 3 November 2024}}{{soccerway coach|/jose-ricardo-soares-ribeiro/310568}}{{ForaDeJogo manager|1456}}

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\|Games won}} !{{Tooltip\|D\|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip\|L\|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip\|GF\|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip\|GA\|Goals against}} !{{Tooltip\|GD\|Goal difference}} !{{Tooltip\|Win %\|Winning percentage}}
align=left\|Caçadores Taipas \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|25 May 2005 \|align=left\|15 January 2007 {{WDL\|46\|27\|10\|9\|for=89\|against=38\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|{{ill\|G.D.U. Torcatense\|lt=Torcatense\|pt\|Grupo Desportivo União Torcatense}} \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|26 March 2007 \|align=left\|22 May 2007 {{WDL\|8\|2\|3\|3\|for=11\|against=12\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Lixa \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|9 June 2009 \|align=left\|24 May 2011 {{WDL\|68\|28\|16\|24\|for=114\|against=94\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Académico Felgueiras \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|24 May 2011 \|align=left\|21 May 2012 {{WDL\|34\|24\|6\|4\|for=74\|against=26\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\| Felgueiras 1932 \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|22 May 2012 \|align=left\|3 June 2013 {{WDL\|34\|23\|6\|5\|for=61\|against=26\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Ribeirão \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|27 August 2013 \|align=left\|14 October 2013 {{WDL\|7\|3\|3\|1\|for=20\|against=10\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Felgueiras 1932 \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|1 July 2014 \|align=left\|6 January 2015 {{WDL\|19\|10\|5\|4\|for=31\|against=24\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\| Vizela \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|7 January 2015 \|align=left\|18 December 2016 {{WDL\|74\|35\|28\|11\|for=94\|against=60\|diff=yes	decimals=2}}
align=left\| Chaves \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|18 December 2016 \|align=left\|27 May 2017 {{WDL\|23\|6\|7\|10\|for=25\|against=32\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\| Aves \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|27 May 2017 \|align=left\|2 October 2017 {{WDL\|9\|1\|3\|5\|for=7\|against=13\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Académica \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|14 November 2017 \|align=left\|1 April 2018 {{WDL\|20\|10\|4\|6\|for=37\|against=25\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Covilhã \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|20 May 2019 \|align=left\|18 December 2019 {{WDL\|18\|8\|4\|6\|for=27\|against=21\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Moreirense \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|18 December 2019 \|align=left\|9 November 2020 {{WDL\|26\|8\|10\|8\|for=29\|against=31\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\| Gil Vicente \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|13 November 2020 \|align=left\|28 June 2022 {{WDL\|69\|28\|16\|25\|for=95\|against=87\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\| Al Ahly \|{{flagicon\|Egypt}} \|align=left\|30 June 2022 \|align=left\|31 August 2022 {{WDL\|17\|9\|5\|3\|for=22\|against=5\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Estoril \|{{flagicon\|Portugal}} \|align=left\|28 February 2023 \|align=left\|8 June 2023 {{WDL\|12\|4\|1\|7\|for=14\|against=18\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
align=left\|Beijing Guoan \|{{flagicon\|China}} \|align=left\|15 June 2023 \|align=left\|10 December 2024 {{WDL\|54\|30\|11\|13\|for=115\|against=63\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}
colspan=4\|Total {{WDLtot\|538\|256\|138\|144\|for=865\|against=585\|diff=yes\|decimals=2}}

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|Games won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}

!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}

!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}