1. Early life
Sérgio Conceição was born in Coimbra, Portugal, on 15 November 1974, and raised in Ribeira de Frades. He was the son of a bricklayer father and a homemaker mother, and one of eight siblings. As a child, he was a fan of Sporting CP. His initial steps in football began with the youth teams of his hometown club, Académica.
1.1. Childhood and education
Conceição started his football journey in the youth ranks of Académica in Coimbra. He later joined Porto's academy in 1991 at the age of 17, where he remained for two years.
1.2. Family and personal background
Conceição experienced significant personal tragedies during his teenage years. His father died in a motorbike accident when Sérgio was 16, just one day after he had joined Porto's academy. Two years later, his mother, who was already wheelchair-bound due to health issues, also passed away. Adding to these losses, his younger brother also died while Conceição was still a teenager, an event he later described as "the most difficult moment" of his life, leading him to consider quitting football, feeling "lost at the time."
Despite these challenges, Conceição later engaged in philanthropic efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he notably helped ten families who were struggling financially, aiming to provide "a grocery store in every home." In an interview in December 2020, he stated that his hero was God and that he is a devout Catholic. He is a father to five sons: Sérgio, Rodrigo, Moisés, Francisco, and José. His sons Rodrigo and Francisco both played under his management at Porto.
2. Playing career
Sérgio Conceição's playing career spanned over a decade, featuring spells at numerous clubs in Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Kuwait, and Greece, and representing the Portugal national team.
2.1. Club career
Conceição's club career began in Portugal, where he gradually rose through the ranks before making a significant impact in Italy and later returning to Portugal and playing in other European leagues.
2.1.1. Early professional career
Conceição started his professional career in the Liga de Honra on loan at Penafiel in 1993-94, followed by a spell at Leça in 1994-95. He then gained his first Primeira Liga experience with Felgueiras during the 1995-96 season, where he scored four goals, although the team was eventually relegated.
2.1.2. FC Porto (first spell)
After his stint at Felgueiras, Conceição returned to FC Porto in 1996. His dynamic runs down the right flank and impressive scoring record made him a key player. He played a pivotal role in Porto's consecutive national championships in 1996-97 and 1997-98, and also contributed to their Taça de Portugal triumph in 1997-98.
2.1.3. Years in Italy
In 1998, Conceição moved to Italy, joining Lazio for a reported transfer fee of 11.20 M EUR. He made an immediate impact, scoring the winning goal on his debut in the 1998 Supercoppa Italiana against Juventus on 28 August, a 2-1 away victory. He later commented that he was so unknown in Italy at the time that he was often mistaken for the Brazilian player Flávio Conceição. He played a significant part in Lazio's 1998-99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup success. In his first Serie A season, he scored five goals in 33 games, including a brace against Inter Milan in a 5-3 victory on 18 October. The following season, 1999-2000, was particularly successful, as he helped Lazio secure the Scudetto, the Coppa Italia (achieving a domestic double), and the 1999 UEFA Super Cup.
In July 2000, Conceição, along with Matías Almeyda, transferred to Parma as part of a package deal worth 40.00 M GBP that saw Hernán Crespo move to Lazio, with Conceição and Almeyda valued at 16.00 M GBP. In his sole season with Parma, he scored on his debut in the 2000-01 UEFA Cup against Macedonia's Pobeda on 14 September, leading to a 2-0 away victory. His campaign ended prematurely due to injury in the first leg of the 2001 Coppa Italia final, which Parma lost to Fiorentina 2-1 on aggregate. During this period, he was linked with moves to prominent clubs such as Manchester United, Juventus, and Milan.
Before the 2001-02 season, Conceição was involved in a transfer exchange that saw him move to Inter Milan for 10.00 B ITL (3.10 M GBP) and Sébastien Frey go the other way. After two seasons with Inter, he left by mutual agreement and rejoined Lazio in 2003-04. His second spell at Lazio was brief, and he departed for his former club Porto towards the end of the 2003-04 season, again by mutual consent.
2.1.4. Later career
Upon his return to FC Porto in 2004, Conceição added his third Portuguese national championship to his honours. Although he was ineligible for Porto's UEFA Champions League triumph in the 2003-04 season as he had already represented Lazio in that competition, he scored his only goal of his second spell for Porto from a penalty spot on his debut on 21 January 2004, in a 4-0 victory at the Estádio das Antas in the national cup. Porto eventually lost the final of that competition to Benfica.
In the summer of 2004, Conceição signed a one-year deal with Belgium's Standard Liège. In his first season, he was awarded the Belgian Golden Shoe as the best player of the year. However, his time in Belgium was also marked by controversy. In March 2006, he received a three-year ban-with the first 4.5 months taking immediate effect and the remainder suspended based on good behaviour-for spitting on an opposing player and assaulting a referee. After the 2006-07 season, during which Standard finished runner-up in the league and lost the 2007 Belgian Cup final, Conceição decided to leave Belgium.
In 2007, he moved to Kuwait to play for Qadsia SC on an annual salary of 1.10 M EUR. However, he quickly became unsettled and left. In January 2008, after failed attempts to return to Portugal, Conceição joined PAOK in Greece on an 18-month contract. His unexpected signing was largely attributed to the club's director of football Zisis Vryzas and the presence of Portuguese manager Fernando Santos. Despite initially struggling with fitness, he was immediately given the number 7 shirt, previously worn by legendary former player and chairman Theodoros Zagorakis.
Conceição was promoted to team captain in the 2008-09 season. Alongside compatriot Vieirinha, he was a regular on the team's wings and became a fan favourite due to his leadership and dedication to the club. However, at the beginning of the 2009-10 campaign, he suffered recurring knee injuries, limiting his appearances. On 13 October 2009, Conceição announced his retirement as a professional footballer, choosing to continue his career at PAOK as a technical director, accepting Vryzas' proposal for the vacant position.
2.2. International career
Sérgio Conceição represented the Portugal national team 56 times, scoring 12 goals. His debut came on 9 November 1996 in a 1-0 home victory over Ukraine during the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. His final international appearance was on 6 September 2003, in a 0-3 friendly defeat against Spain.
2.2.1. Senior national team
Early in his international career, Conceição was not particularly known for his goal-scoring abilities. However, at UEFA Euro 2000, he made a significant contribution. In the third and final match of the group stage against defending champions Germany in Rotterdam, he netted a hat-trick, scoring all three goals in a 3-0 victory. Portugal had already secured first place in the group after the first two rounds and played mostly with substitutes in this match. Conceição's performance cemented his place in the starting XI for the remainder of the tournament and for subsequent international call-ups, as Portugal reached the semi-finals of the competition.
In the qualifying campaign for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Conceição scored four goals. Portugal topped their group, which also included the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands; Conceição notably scored against both of these teams.
2.2.2. International goals
The following is a list of goals scored by Sérgio Conceição for the Portugal national team:
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 October 1997 | Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisbon, Portugal | Northern Ireland | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1998 World Cup qualification |
| 2 | 26 March 1999 | Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, Guimarães, Portugal | Azerbaijan | 4-0 | 7-0 | Euro 2000 qualifying |
| 3 | 20 June 2000 | Feijenoord Stadion, Rotterdam, Netherlands | Germany | 1-0 | 3-0 | UEFA Euro 2000 |
| 4 | 20 June 2000 | Feijenoord Stadion, Rotterdam, Netherlands | Germany | 2-0 | 3-0 | UEFA Euro 2000 |
| 5 | 20 June 2000 | Feijenoord Stadion, Rotterdam, Netherlands | Germany | 3-0 | 3-0 | UEFA Euro 2000 |
| 6 | 7 October 2000 | Estádio da Luz (1954), Lisbon, Portugal | Republic of Ireland | 1-0 | 1-1 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
| 7 | 11 October 2000 | De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands | Netherlands | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
| 8 | 1 September 2001 | Camp d'Esports, Lleida, Spain | Andorra | 6-1 | 7-1 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
| 9 | 5 September 2001 | Antonis Papadopoulos, Larnaca, Cyprus | Cyprus | 3-1 | 3-1 | 2002 World Cup qualification |
| 10 | 27 March 2002 | Estádio do Bessa, Porto, Portugal | Finland | 1-2 | 1-4 | Friendly |
| 11 | 17 April 2002 | Estádio José Alvalade (1956), Lisbon, Portugal | Brazil | 1-0 | 1-1 | Friendly |
| 12 | 16 October 2002 | Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden | Sweden | 1-2 | 3-2 | Friendly |
3. Playing style
Sérgio Conceição was a talented and versatile player, primarily known for his role as a right winger. He was distinguished by his impressive speed and physical strength, which allowed him to cover the flank effectively and make aggressive forward runs. Beyond his athletic attributes, Conceição possessed excellent dribbling skills and a strong ability to deliver accurate crosses into the box. He also had a fairly accurate shot. Although most commonly deployed on the right wing, his hard-working nature and adaptability meant he was also capable of playing in a holding midfield role when required.
4. Coaching career
Conceição transitioned into coaching after his playing career, gradually taking on more prominent roles before achieving significant success as a head coach.
4.1. Early coaching roles
After announcing his retirement as a professional footballer on 13 October 2009, Conceição immediately began working as the technical director at PAOK, accepting the proposal from Zisis Vryzas, who had recently assumed the club presidency. He remained in this role until 30 May 2010, when he left the Thessaloniki club following the resignation of manager Fernando Santos. Subsequently, he rejoined another former team, Standard Liège, becoming part of their coaching staff under manager Dominique D'Onofrio.
4.2. Club management
Conceição embarked on his head coaching career in 2012, leading several clubs in Portugal before a successful stint in France and an impactful return to Porto.
4.2.1. Olhanense
Conceição began his managerial career as head coach of Olhanense in the Primeira Liga on 1 January 2012, replacing Daúto Faquirá. The team was in 10th place upon his arrival. His debut on 8 January resulted in a 2-1 loss against Marítimo. Olhanense finished the season two positions higher. On 9 August 2012, it was reported that he had left the Algarve club following disputes with the board, though he later appeared with president Isidoro Sousa to clarify the situation. However, he eventually resigned early in the new year and took legal action against the club due to delayed wages, even requesting their bankruptcy.
4.2.2. Académica
On 8 April 2013, less than 24 hours after the dismissal of Pedro Emanuel, Conceição was appointed manager of his hometown team, Académica. The club was in 13th place when he joined, and his primary objective was to avoid relegation. He successfully guided the team to an eighth-place finish in the 2013-14 campaign before departing at the end of the season.
4.2.3. Braga
Conceição signed a two-year contract with Braga on 26 May 2014. The team had finished the previous season in a disappointing position, missing out on European competitions for the first time in a decade. He led Braga to a fourth-place finish in the 2014-15 Primeira Liga and guided them to the final of the domestic cup. Following their semi-final victory, he famously jogged the 24 mile distance from Vila do Conde back home as part of a bet with his players. Despite leading 2-0 at half-time in the final, Braga ultimately lost to Sporting in a penalty shootout. This defeat led to a "violent discussion" between Conceição and Braga president António Salvador, resulting in Conceição's sacking on 30 June 2015, following Salvador's official statement.
4.2.4. Vitória Guimarães
On 22 September 2015, Conceição took on his fourth management position in the Portuguese top-flight, joining Vitória de Guimarães. On 17 January 2016, he achieved a significant milestone by leading his team to a 1-0 home victory against Porto, marking their first win against Porto at home in 14 years. He left Vitória de Guimarães at the end of the 2015-16 season by mutual consent, as the team's 10th-place finish meant they did not qualify for European competitions.
4.2.5. Nantes
Conceição was appointed manager of Ligue 1 club Nantes on 8 December 2016, replacing the dismissed René Girard at a time when the team was second from bottom. He made an immediate positive impact. His debut on 13 December was a 3-1 home victory over Montpellier in the Coupe de la Ligue last 16, followed by a 2-0 league win at Angers. In his single season at the Stade de la Beaujoire, he successfully guided Nantes to a commendable 7th-place finish in Ligue 1.
In February 2017, Conceição was linked with the vacant managerial position at struggling Premier League champions Leicester City, but Nantes chairman Waldemar Kita insisted he would honour his two-year contract. However, on 6 June, it was announced that Conceição had resigned from his position at Nantes to accept a proposal from Porto, citing personal reasons, including the desire to live closer to his family in Portugal.
4.2.6. FC Porto (second spell)
In June 2017, after terminating his contract with Nantes, Conceição returned to FC Porto to replace former teammate Nuno Espírito Santo. He was officially presented on 8 June, signing a two-year deal. His managerial debut for Porto on 9 August was a resounding 4-0 home victory over Estoril. In his first season, he successfully led the club to win the national championship, ending a five-year title drought, and his contract was extended by another year. In the subsequent Champions League campaign, Porto reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by eventual winners Liverpool.
On 1 March 2019, Conceição signed another contract extension, tying him to Porto until 2021. In the 2019-20 season, his team regained the league title with two games to spare, benefiting from Benfica's poor form towards the end of the campaign. Two weeks later, Porto defeated Benfica in the 2020 Taça de Portugal final to secure a domestic double. The team once again reached the Champions League last-eight, where they were narrowly defeated 2-1 on aggregate by Chelsea.
Conceição further renewed his contract for three more years on 4 June 2021, extending his tenure until June 2024. On 16 April of the following year, a dominant 7-0 home victory over Portimonense saw Porto equal the record of Milan and Olympiacos for the longest unbeaten run in league matches, reaching 58 games without a loss. His third league title was clinched on 7 May with a dramatic last-minute winner by Zaidu Sanusi against arch-rivals Benfica. Fifteen days later, on 22 May, Porto defeated Tondela 3-1 in the 2022 Taça de Portugal final to secure another domestic double.
On 28 January 2023, Conceição led Porto to their first-ever Taça da Liga title with a 2-0 victory over Sporting in Leiria, marking his third appearance in a final of this competition. On 8 May, he managed his 323rd game for the team in a 1-0 win at Arouca, surpassing José Maria Pedroto's long-standing club record for most games as manager. On 4 June, his team won the 2023 Taça de Portugal final 2-0 against Braga, making him the first manager to win that honour three times with Porto. With ten trophies under his belt at Porto, he became the second most successful manager in Portuguese football history, only behind Jorge Jesus who has 12.
On 25 April 2024, with only weeks remaining on his contract, Conceição signed a new deal to last until 2028, ahead of the club's presidential elections. A month later, he secured his fourth Portuguese Cup with a 2-1 defeat of Sporting in the 2023-24 Taça de Portugal final, becoming the third manager to lift the trophy four times, and uniquely, he achieved all of these victories with the same club. Shortly after this achievement, however, he announced his decision to leave Porto on 30 June 2024.
4.2.7. AC Milan
On 30 December 2024, Conceição made his return to the Italian top tier, being appointed as the new manager of AC Milan. He replaced his compatriot Paulo Fonseca, who had been dismissed the day before. In his debut four days later, he oversaw a 2-1 victory over Juventus in the semi-finals of the 2024 Supercoppa Italiana. In the final on 6 January, his team made history by starting no national players for the first time in the history of the Derby della Madonnina, mirroring their lineup from the previous match. Milan dramatically came from behind, recovering from a 2-0 deficit to beat Inter 3-2 and claim the title. In doing so, Conceição became the fastest AC Milan manager to win a trophy since 1930, breaking Vincenzo Montella's 2016 record of 18 games.
5. Managerial style
During his tenure at Porto, Sérgio Conceição developed a reputation for an attractive style of play, often characterized by a strong emphasis on possession football. He is known for his willingness to make bold tactical decisions, including prioritizing players who best fit his system, even if they may not be the most technically gifted.
Conceição frequently utilized a 4-3-2-1 formation, and his teams typically exhibited a fast and aggressive mentality on the field. He occasionally also deployed a 4-4-2 formation. Renowned Italian coach Fabio Capello commented on Conceição's approach, stating: "As a coach he has done very, very well at Porto, demonstrating great tactical and attacking attention. His teams are solid and balanced, we saw it in the Champions League. He's a coach capable of working with both important players and prospective players: he brings out the best in everyone. He is used to building and doing it with a winning mentality. He made this with the philosophy of Porto, where historically value is created by winning."
6. Personal life
Sérgio Conceição has five sons: Sérgio, Rodrigo, Moisés, Francisco, and José. His second and fourth sons, Rodrigo and Francisco, notably played under his management during his time at Porto.
In recognition of his contributions to football and his hometown, the municipal government of Coimbra named a local 2,500-seater stadium after him: the Estádio Municipal Sérgio Conceição. This stands as a permanent tribute to his legacy.
7. Statistics
This section presents comprehensive statistical data pertaining to Sérgio Conceição's career as both a player and a manager.
7.1. Player statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Penafiel | 1993-94 | Segunda Divisão | 30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 31 | 1 | ||
| Leça | 1994-95 | Segunda Divisão | 24 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | - | 26 | 4 | ||
| Felgueiras | 1995-96 | Primeira Divisão | 30 | 4 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 32 | 4 | ||
| Porto | 1996-97 | Primeira Divisão | 26 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 2 |
| 1997-98 | Primeira Divisão | 30 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 39 | 8 | |
| Total | 56 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 77 | 10 | ||
| Lazio | 1998-99 | Serie A | 33 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 44 | 7 |
| 1999-2000 | Serie A | 30 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 4 | |
| Total | 63 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 87 | 11 | ||
| Parma | 2000-01 | Serie A | 25 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 2 | - | 36 | 7 | |
| Inter Milan | 2001-02 | Serie A | 23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | - | 32 | 1 | |
| 2002-03 | Serie A | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 0 | - | 33 | 1 | ||
| Total | 42 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 0 | - | 65 | 2 | |||
| Lazio | 2003-04 | Serie A | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | - | 16 | 0 | |
| Porto | 2003-04 | Primeira Liga | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 12 | 1 | ||
| Standard Liège | 2004-05 | Belgian First Division | 27 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | - | 34 | 11 | |
| 2005-06 | Belgian First Division | 25 | 7 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 29 | 7 | |||
| 2006-07 | Belgian First Division | 22 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | 27 | 4 | ||
| Total | 74 | 21 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 0 | - | 90 | 22 | |||
| Qadsia | 2007-08 | Kuwait Premier League | 7 | 0 | - | - | - | 7 | 0 | |||
| PAOK | 2007-08 | Super League Greece | 7 | 0 | - | - | - | 7 | 0 | |||
| 2008-09 | Super League Greece | 28 | 5 | 3 | 1 | - | - | 31 | 6 | |||
| 2009-10 | Super League Greece | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | 9 | 0 | ||
| Total | 41 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | - | 47 | 6 | |||
| Career total | 410 | 56 | 42 | 6 | 69 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 526 | 68 | ||
7.2. International statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 1996 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1998 | 3 | 0 | |
| 1999 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2000 | 12 | 5 | |
| 2001 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 11 | 3 | |
| 2003 | 7 | 0 | |
| Total | 56 | 12 | |
7.3. Managerial statistics
Managerial record updated as of 27 February 2025.
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games managed | Games won | Games drawn | Games lost | Goals for | Goals against | Goal difference | Winning percentage | ||||
| Olhanense | Portugal | 2 January 2012 | 7 January 2013 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 43 | 45 | -2 | 29.41 | |||||||
| Académica | Portugal | 8 April 2013 | 26 May 2014 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 34 | 45 | -11 | 29.27 | |||||||
| Braga | Portugal | 26 May 2014 | 30 June 2015 | 24 | 10 | 11 | 81 | 38 | +43 | 53.33 | |||||||
| Vitória Guimarães | Portugal | 23 September 2015 | 18 May 2016 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 43 | 52 | -9 | 25.81 | |||||||
| Nantes | France | 8 December 2016 | 6 June 2017 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 36 | 33 | +3 | 50.00 | |||||||
| Porto | Portugal | 8 June 2017 | 30 June 2024 | 274 | 53 | 52 | 812 | 314 | +498 | 72.29 | |||||||
| Milan | Italy | 30 December 2024 | present | 8 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 18 | +4 | 53.33 | |||||||
| Career Total | 349 | 107 | 115 | 1071 | 545 | +526 | 61.12 | ||||||||||
8. Honours
Sérgio Conceição has achieved numerous honours throughout his career, both as a player and as a manager.
8.1. As a player
Leça
- Segunda Liga: 1994-95
Porto
- Primeira Liga: 1996-97, 1997-98, 2003-04
- Taça de Portugal: 1997-98
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1996
Lazio
- Serie A: 1999-2000
- Coppa Italia: 1999-2000, 2003-04
- Supercoppa Italiana: 1998
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1998-99
- UEFA Super Cup: 1999
Portugal
- UEFA European Championship third place: 2000
- UEFA European Under-18 Championship runner-up: 1992
8.2. As a manager
Porto
- Primeira Liga: 2017-18, 2019-20, 2021-22
- Taça de Portugal: 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24
- Taça da Liga: 2022-23
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2018, 2020, 2022
AC Milan
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2024
8.3. Individual honours
- Belgian Golden Shoe: 2005 (as player)
- Primeira Liga Best Coach: 2017-18, 2019-20, 2021-22 (as manager)
- Primeira Liga Manager of the Month: October/November 2018, December 2018, February 2020, December 2020, December 2021, March 2022 (as manager)
9. Legacy and reception
Sérgio Conceição is widely regarded as a significant figure in Portuguese football, having left a lasting impact as both a highly successful player and an influential manager. His playing career, marked by notable spells at Porto and Lazio, saw him contribute to numerous domestic and European triumphs, including league titles in Portugal and Italy, and major European cups. His hat-trick against Germany at Euro 2000 remains one of the most memorable individual performances in the tournament's history.
As a manager, Conceição established himself as one of Porto's most successful coaches, breaking records for games managed and consistently delivering silverware. His tactical acumen, emphasis on a fast and aggressive style of play, and ability to extract the best from his players have earned him widespread acclaim. He transformed Porto into a dominant force in Portuguese football, securing multiple league titles and domestic cups.
However, his career has also included instances of controversy. During his playing days, he received a lengthy ban for spitting on an opposing player and assaulting a referee in Belgium. As a manager, his departure from Braga was marked by a "violent discussion" with the club president. Despite these incidents, Conceição is generally perceived within the football community as a passionate, dedicated, and highly competitive individual who demands excellence from himself and his teams. His leadership qualities and commitment to success have made him a respected, albeit at times contentious, figure. His recent swift success at AC Milan further solidifies his reputation as a top-tier manager.
10. Tributes and memorials
In recognition of Sérgio Conceição's significant contributions to football and his strong ties to his hometown, the municipal government of Coimbra named a local 2,500-seater stadium after him: the Estádio Municipal Sérgio Conceição. This stands as a permanent tribute to his legacy and achievements.