Bruno Miguel Nunes Baltazar (born 6 July 1977) is a Portuguese professional football manager and former player who played as a centre-back. He is currently the manager of Ligue 2 club Caen.
Baltazar started the 2003–04 season still abroad, playing in the English Football Conference with Margate.[1] He returned to his country in the following transfer window, joining C.D. Fátima in the third level, then spent a further campaign in that tier with former side Odivelas.
Baltazar's only experience in the professionals came in 2005–06, as he appeared in only seven Segunda Liga matches for F.C. Barreirense and also suffered relegation. He subsequently returned to the lower leagues, representing Imortal DC, Abrantes F.C. – he split the 2006–07 campaign between the two teams – and Real SC.
After another season abroad, with Digenis Akritas Morphou in the Cypriot Second Division, Baltazar returned to Portugal and joined G.D. Igreja Nova in the third division (team relegation and folding). In January 2010 he rejoined Sintrense in the fourth tier, retiring in June of the following year at the age of 34.
Coaching career
After announcing his retirement, Baltazar took up coaching, starting as assistant manager at his first club Sintrense. In the summer of 2012 he was promoted to head coach, guiding them to promotion to the third division.[2]
In July 2013, Baltazar was appointed at second level side Atlético Clube de Portugal.[3] His stay was however to be short-lived, as he was relieved of his duties after only one month.[4]
Baltazar returned to his country and its second division on 22 January 2019, being appointed at G.D. Estoril Praia.[10] In June, however, he left to become part of the coaching setup at Nottingham Forest following the appointment of Sabri Lamouchi.[11]
On 7 October 2020, Baltazar became the new coach of Al-Ain FC of the Saudi Professional League.[12] Five days later, he announced he could not sign as he was not able to break his contractual relationship with Forest.[13][14]
Baltazar was appointed head coach of Rochester New York FC on 14 December 2021, ahead of the inaugural MLS Next Pro season.[15] It was announced on 3 January 2023 that he would be leaving the club after 1 season after agreeing to a fee with Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv.[16]
On 20 May 2024, Polish club Radomiak Radom appointed Baltazar as manager before the final game of the 2023–24 Ekstraklasa.[17] Despite suffering a 1–3 loss to Widzew Łódź on 25 May,[18] Radomiak avoided demotion and finished the season in 15th, one place above relegation spots.[19] On 29 December 2024, Baltazar and Radomiak agreed to part ways after he received an offer from an unnamed club.[20]
Later that day, he was revealed as the new manager of French Ligue 2 club Caen.[21]
