João Pedro da Silva Esmail Pereira (born 25 February 1984) is a Portuguese professional manager and former footballer who played as a right-back. He is the manager of Liga 3 club Sporting CP B.
An attacking player, he was also known for his fiery temperament that led to altercations with adversaries and referees numerous times.[3] In his country, he represented both Benfica and Sporting CP, winning the 2004–05 Primeira Liga with the former. He also spent two and a half seasons in Spain with Valencia and three and a half in Turkey with Trabzonspor, winning the 2019–20 Turkish Cup before returning to Sporting in February 2021, where he again won the domestic league, eventually amassing Primeira Liga totals of 233 matches and nine goals. Internationally, he represented Portugal at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.
After retiring in 2022, Pereira began his coaching career at Sporting's reserves, before taking charge of the first team in November 2024. He left his position one month later.
Early life
Pereira was born in Lisbon, being raised in the troubled neighbourhood of Casal Ventoso. He later enrolled at the Casa Pia institution, where he achieved honour student status.[4][5]
Club career
Benfica
A product of local Benfica's youth system,[6] Pereira first appeared with its first team on 17 August 2003 in a 0–0 away draw against Boavista,[7] and finished his debut season with 25 Primeira Liga appearances, mostly as a midfielder.[8]
Pereira was part of the Benfica squad that won the 2005 championship, starting often, until a fallout with coach Ronald Koeman relegated him to the bench and later to the B side.[9][6] He was sold to Gil Vicente – also in the top flight – in the summer of 2006, after a previous loan to the same club.[10]
Braga
In 2007–08, fully reconverted into a right-back, Pereira joined Braga, as another player in the position, Luís Filipe, went the other way.[11]
An undisputed starter from the beginning, he scored his first goal for the Minho side on 22 February 2009, a 2–1 last-minute winner at Naval.[12] He also collected a total of 17 yellow cards and two red in his first two seasons.[8]
Sporting CP
On 22 December 2009, Pereira moved to Sporting CP for a fee of €3 million;[13] at the time, Braga led the league alongside Benfica with 12 points in advance to his new club,[14] with the Lions eventually finishing fourth.[15]
Pereira again featured regularly for Sporting in the 2010–11 campaign, both as a defender and a midfielder,[16][17] as his team ranked in third position.[18] On 30 April 2011, he scored in a 2–1 home victory over Portimonense but was also sent off midway through the second half (after teammate André Santos) for repeatedly and severely insulting refereeDuarte Gomes.[19]
On 24 May 2012, Pereira signed with Valencia in Spain for €3.6 million, penning a 3+1 contract.[20] He made his official debut on 19 August, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 away draw against Real Madrid.[21]
Pereira was a starter in his first two years with the Che but, after the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo for 2014–15, was relegated to third-choice right-back.[22][23]
Hannover
In the January 2015 transfer window, Pereira signed for Bundesliga club Hannover 96 until the end of the season.[24] He made his league debut on 7 February, playing the second half of a 2–1 away loss to Hamburger SV.[25]
Return to Sporting
On 13 July 2015, Pereira returned to Sporting on a two-year deal with a €45 million buyout clause, as a replacement for Southampton-bound Cédric Soares.[26] He made his debut on 9 August, featuring the full 90 minutes as they beat Benfica 1–0 to lift the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira at the Estádio Algarve.[27] Thirteen days later he received his third red card for the club – all direct – for conceding a penalty in a 1–1 home draw against Paços de Ferreira.[28]
Trabzonspor
In December 2016, Pereira was coveted by Trabzonspor, who were told to pay at least €1.5 million for his signature.[29] Early in the new year, he cancelled his contract that was due to expire in the summer[30] and joined the Süper Lig club.[31]
On 1 February 2021, shortly before his 37th birthday, Pereira returned to Sporting on a short-term deal. It was agreed that at its conclusion he would remain at the club as a coach.[34]
Pereira was first called to the Portugal senior team in October 2010, following the appointment of new coach Paulo Bento. He made his debut in a UEFA Euro 2012qualifier against Denmark, and also started in the following match – in the same competition – in Iceland, with the national side winning both games 3–1.[35][36]
Pereira started working as a manager on 8 July 2022, being appointed at Sporting's under-23 side.[39] Two years later, he switched to the senior reserve team in Liga 3.[40]
Pereira was dismissed on 25 December 2024.[48] Two weeks later, he was readmitted at Sporting B.[49]
Personal life
In June 2018, Pereira married fashion entrepreneur Natacha Esmail. One of the two wedding ceremonies was held according to Hindu tradition, due to the bride's origins.[50][51]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
^Calaveiras, Carlos (22 November 2024). "Goleada na estreia de João Pereira" [Rout in João Pereira's debut] (in Portuguese). Rádio Renascença. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
^"Oficial. João Pereira demitido do Sporting" [Official. João Pereira dismissed by Sporting] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 25 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
