Rui Bento

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Rui Bento

| image =

| fullname = Rui Fernando da Silva Calapez Pereira Bento{{WorldFootball.net|rui-bento}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|1|14|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Silves, Portugal

| height = 1.76 m

| position = Centre-back, defensive midfielder

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 1983–1987

| youthyears2 = 1987–1991

| youthclubs1 = Silves

| youthclubs2 = Benfica

| years1 = 1991–1992

| years2 = 1992–2001

| years3 = 2001–2004

| clubs1 = Benfica

| clubs2 = Boavista

| clubs3 = Sporting CP

| caps1 = 24

| caps2 = 242

| caps3 = 55

| totalcaps = 321

| goals1 = 0

| goals2 = 4

| goals3 = 1

| totalgoals = 5

| nationalyears1 = 1990–1991

| nationalyears2 = 1991–1993

| nationalyears3 = 1996

| nationalyears4 = 1991–2001

| nationalteam1 = Portugal U20

| nationalteam2 = Portugal U21

| nationalteam3 = Portugal Olympic (O.P.)

| nationalteam4 = Portugal

| nationalcaps1 = 12

| nationalcaps2 = 17

| nationalcaps3 = 6

| nationalcaps4 = 6

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalgoals4 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2004–2005

| manageryears2 = 2005

| manageryears3 = 2006–2007

| manageryears4 = 2008–2009

| manageryears5 = 2009–2011

| manageryears6 = 2011–2012

| manageryears7 = 2014

| manageryears8 = 2015

| manageryears9 = 2016–2017

| manageryears10 = 2017–2018

| manageryears11 = 2018–2019

| manageryears12 = 2020–2021

| manageryears13 = 2021–2022

| manageryears14 = 2022–2024

| managerclubs1 = Académico Viseu

| managerclubs2 = Barreirense

| managerclubs3 = Penafiel

| managerclubs4 = Boavista

| managerclubs5 = Portugal U17

| managerclubs6 = Beira-Mar

| managerclubs7 = Bangkok United

| managerclubs8 = Tondela

| managerclubs9 = Portugal U17

| managerclubs10 = Portugal U18

| managerclubs11 = Portugal U19

| managerclubs12 = Portugal U20

| managerclubs13 = Portugal U17

| managerclubs14 = Kuwait

| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}

{{medal|Country| {{fb|POR}}}}

}}

Rui Fernando da Silva Calapez Pereira Bento (born 14 January 1972) is a Portuguese former footballer who played mostly as a central defender, currently a manager.

Over 13 seasons, he amassed Primeira Liga totals of 321 matches and five goals, representing mainly Boavista (nine years). He managed S.C. Beira-Mar and Tondela in the top flight, and spent several years coaching Portugal's youth teams.

Club career

Born in Silves, Algarve, Bento first represented S.L. Benfica, but would gain national recognition with Boavista FC. Already relocated as a defensive midfielder,{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-bwin/sporting/detalhe/rui-bento--de-libero-a-medio|title=Rui Bento – De líbero a médio|trans-title=Rui Bento – From sweeper to midfielder|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=8 July 2002|access-date=7 January 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107192734/https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-bwin/sporting/detalhe/rui-bento--de-libero-a-medio|archive-date=7 January 2023}} he helped them to their only Primeira Liga championship in the 2000–01 season,{{cite web|url=http://www.tsf.pt/desporto/interior/lembra-se-deles-ha-15-anos-o-boavista-foi-campeao-nacional-5180725.html|title=Lembra-se deles? Há 15 anos o Boavista foi campeão nacional|trans-title=Remember them? Boavista were national champions 15 years ago|publisher=TSF|first=Joana|last=Carvalho Reis|language=pt|date=18 May 2016|access-date=7 January 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923235654/https://www.tsf.pt/desporto/interior/lembra-se-deles-ha-15-anos-o-boavista-foi-campeao-nacional-5180725.html|archive-date=23 September 2019}} adding the 1997 Taça de Portugal.

After three years at Sporting CP, battling with namesake Paulo Bento for first-choice status{{cite news|url=http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/sporting/detalhe/blni-mexe-na-equipa-e-aposta-em-rui-bento.html|title=Bölöni mexe na equipa e aposta em Rui Bento|trans-title=Bölöni moves pieces and bets on Rui Bento|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=8 March 2002|access-date=23 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724154258/http://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-nos/sporting/detalhe/blni-mexe-na-equipa-e-aposta-em-rui-bento.html|archive-date=24 July 2018}} and winning another league title in 2002,{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.pt/desportos/a-ultima-vez-que-o-sporting-foi-campeao-foi-ha-18-anos-12125810.html|title=A última vez que o Sporting foi campeão foi há 18 anos|trans-title=Sporting were champions for the last time 18 years ago|newspaper=Diário de Notícias|first=Isaura|last=Almeida|language=pt|date=28 April 2020|access-date=7 January 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429064402/https://www.dn.pt/desportos/a-ultima-vez-que-o-sporting-foi-campeao-foi-ha-18-anos-12125810.html|archive-date=29 April 2020}} Bento retired from playing at the age of 32, and started coaching at lowly Académico de Viseu FC. In summer 2008 he returned to Boavista with the club now in the second division,{{cite web|url=https://www.tsf.pt/desporto/rui-bento-novo-treinador-do-boavista-982117.html|title=Rui Bento novo treinador do Boavista|trans-title=Rui Bento new manager of Boavista|publisher=TSF|language=pt|date=20 August 2008|access-date=30 April 2020}} and the side eventually suffered a second consecutive relegation.{{cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2009/05/24/desporto/noticia/leiria-regressa-a-i-liga-boavista-desce-a-ii-divisao-1382615|title=Leiria regressa à I Liga, Boavista desce à II Divisão|trans-title=Leiria return to I League, Boavista relegated to II Division|newspaper=Público|first=Filipe|last=Escobar de Lima|language=pt|date=24 May 2009|access-date=30 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201110600/https://www.publico.pt/2009/05/24/desporto/noticia/leiria-regressa-a-i-liga-boavista-desce-a-ii-divisao-1382615|archive-date=1 February 2023}}

Bento was appointed at S.C. Beira-Mar midway through the 2010–11 after taking the place of Leonardo Jardim,{{cite web|url=http://portugoal.net/index.php/more-beira-mar-news/21562-rui-bento-new-coach-of-beira-mar|title=Rui Bento appointed new Beira-Mar coach|publisher=PortuGOAL|date=2 March 2011|access-date=22 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520005606/http://portugoal.net/index.php/more-beira-mar-news/21562-rui-bento-new-coach-of-beira-mar|archive-date=20 May 2014}} only winning twice in nine top-division games until the end of the campaign (two draws and five losses) but still leading the Aveiro team away from the relegation zone. He resigned on 26 February 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/futebol-nacional/rui-bento-demite-se-de-treinador-do-beira-mar_d530577|title=Rui Bento demite-se de treinador do Beira-Mar|trans-title=Rui Bento resigns as manager of Beira-Mar|publisher=Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|language=pt|date=26 February 2012|access-date=30 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707124858/https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/futebol-nacional/rui-bento-demite-se-de-treinador-do-beira-mar_d530577|archive-date=7 July 2022}}

After some time managing the under-23 side of Al Ahli Saudi FC, Bento signed as manager of Bangkok United F.C. in January 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/internacional/detalhe/rui-bento-no-bangkok-united-864019|title=Rui Bento no Bangkok United|trans-title=Rui Bento at Bangkok United|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=21 January 2014|access-date=19 September 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219234408/https://www.record.pt/internacional/detalhe/rui-bento-no-bangkok-united-864019|archive-date=19 February 2020}} He left early on in the Thai Premier League season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/sports/406524/carvalho-leaves-police-utd|title=Carvalho leaves Police Utd|newspaper=Bangkok Post|first=Tor|last=Chittinand|date=25 April 2014|access-date=19 September 2019}}

On 6 October 2015, Bento returned to Portugal's top flight, succeeding Vítor Paneira at 16th-placed C.D. Tondela on a deal to the end of the campaign.{{cite news|url=https://observador.pt/2015/10/06/rui-bento-novo-treinador-do-tondela/|title=Rui Bento é o novo treinador do Tondela|trans-title=Rui Bento is the new manager of Tondela|newspaper=Observador|language=pt|date=6 October 2015|access-date=19 September 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219234410/https://observador.pt/2015/10/06/rui-bento-novo-treinador-do-tondela/|archive-date=19 February 2020}} He left by mutual accord on 8 December after earning a solitary point from five matches, placing the club in last position.{{cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2015/12/08/desporto/noticia/rui-bento-e-o-segundo-treinador-a-deixar-o-tondela-1716841|title=Rui Bento é o segundo treinador a deixar o Tondela|trans-title=Rui Bento is the second manager to leave Tondela|newspaper=Público|language=pt|date=8 December 2015|access-date=19 September 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219234413/https://www.publico.pt/2015/12/08/desporto/noticia/rui-bento-e-o-segundo-treinador-a-deixar-o-tondela-1716841|archive-date=19 February 2020}}

International career

Bento was capped six times for Portugal.{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/geral/selecao/lista-completa-dos-internacionais-portugueses|title=Lista completa dos internacionais portugueses|trans-title=Complete list of Portuguese internationals|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|date=18 February 2004|access-date=7 January 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024639/https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/geral/selecao/lista-completa-dos-internacionais-portugueses|archive-date=1 February 2021}} His first game took place at 20 November 1991 in a 1–0 win over Greece for the UEFA Euro 1992 qualifiers, and his last was a 4–0 defeat to France on 25 April 2001, in a friendly.

Bento also played Olympic football, helping the national side to finish fourth at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/geral/selecao/portugal-brasil-o-pesadelo-das-olimpiadas-de-96-segundo-ronaldo-e-bebeto|title=Portugal-Brasil: o pesadelo das Olimpíadas de 96 segundo Ronaldo e Bebeto|trans-title=Portugal-Brazil: the nightmare of the 96 Olympics according to Ronaldo and Bebeto|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=pt|date=27 March 2003|access-date=13 January 2024}} Previously, he was a starter for the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship winners, in a competition played on home soil.{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.pt/desporto/seleccao/interior/geracao-de-ouro-faz-20-anos-1956505.html|title=Geração de ouro faz 20 anos|trans-title=Golden generation celebrates 20th birthday|newspaper=Diário de Notícias|first=Ireneu|last=Ribeiro|language=pt|date=20 August 2011|access-date=23 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026085202/https://www.dn.pt/desporto/seleccao/interior/geracao-de-ouro-faz-20-anos-1956505.html|archive-date=26 October 2018}}

In July 2009, Bento was named the Portugal under-17 manager.{{cite news|url=http://www.record.pt/internacional/competicoes-de-selecoes/detalhe/sub-17-rui-bento-divulga-convocatoria.html|title=Sub-17: Rui Bento divulga convocatória|trans-title=Under-17: Rui Bento releases callup|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=26 November 2009|access-date=23 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108095153/http://www.record.pt/internacional/competicoes-de-selecoes/detalhe/sub-17-rui-bento-divulga-convocatoria.html|archive-date=8 November 2017}} He and Emílio Peixe left the Portuguese Football Federation set-up in August 2022, to take the helm at Kuwait's senior and Olympic teams, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/artigos/rui-bento-vai-ser-selecionador-do-kuwait-e-emilio-peixe-fica-com-equipa-olimpica|title=Rui Bento vai ser selecionador do Kuwait e Emílio Peixe fica com equipa olímpica|trans-title=Rui Bento will be manager of Kuwait and Emílio Peixe gets the Olympic team|publisher=SAPO|language=pt|date=2 August 2022|access-date=9 December 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209135955/https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/artigos/rui-bento-vai-ser-selecionador-do-kuwait-e-emilio-peixe-fica-com-equipa-olimpica|archive-date=9 December 2022}}

Honours

Benfica

Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira runner-up: 1991

Boavista

Primeira Liga: 2000–01
Taça de Portugal: 1996–97
Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1992, 1997

Sporting CP

Primeira Liga: 2001–02
Taça de Portugal: 2001–02{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-bwin/sporting/detalhe/leixoes-sporting-0-1-jardel-40|title=Leixões-Sporting, 0–1 (Jardel 40')|newspaper=Record|language=pt|date=12 May 2002|access-date=7 January 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107193705/https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-bwin/sporting/detalhe/leixoes-sporting-0-1-jardel-40|archive-date=7 January 2023}}

Portugal U-20