Paulo Lourenço Martins Alves (born 10 December 1969) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a centre-forward, currently a manager. He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 301 matches and 78 goals over 13 seasons, mainly with Gil Vicente (five years). He also represented in the competition Marítimo, Sporting CP (three apiece) União de Leiria (two) and Braga. Internationally, he won the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1989 and was part of the Olympic team that came fourth in 1996, also being a senior international in the mid-1990s. Alves started coaching in 2005, and went on to be in charge of several clubs, including Gil (in several spells). He managed them and Olhanense in the top-flight, and eight teams in the second tier, winning the latter with Gil and Moreirense.

Playing career

Club

Born in Vila Real, Alves moved from local club S.C. Vila Real to FC Porto's youth ranks at 17, but was unsuccessful there, moving to Gil Vicente FC. After spells with F.C. Tirsense, C.S. Marítimo (twice) and S.C. Braga, Alves joined Primeira Liga giants Sporting CP, being relatively used during his three-year stay. He also played in England with West Ham United on loan, but managed just four substitute appearances in a three-month spell. Upon his return to Lisbon, he notably scored a hat-trick in a 5–3 win at S.C. Campomaiorense. In the summer of 1998, Alves signed a three-year deal at SC Bastia in the French Ligue 1, for a fee of €400,000. He scored on his debut as a late replacement in a 3–0 home victory over FC Metz, but added only two more goals in his one year in Corsica. He then spent two seasons with U.D. Leiria, netting six times in 27 matches in 2000–01 to help the club to its best-ever finish in the top flight, a fifth position. His second stint at Gil Vicente saw him finish as team top scorer for the 2001–02 campaign, with 11 goals from 27 appearances. Alves retired in June 2005, at the age of 35.

International

Alves helped Portugal win the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia – in the group stage opener against Czechoslovakia, he scored a last-minute header (his strongest asset) for the game's only goal. Later in his career he also managed 13 caps for the full side, scoring seven times, mostly during the UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying stage and friendlies within that period. His first goals came as a brace as a substitute on 18 December 1994 in an 8–0 qualifying win over Liechtenstein, and three more the following 15 August in a 7–0 victory in the reverse fixture, again off the bench. At the 1996 Summer Olympics in the United States, Alves helped his team finish fourth in the football event. He scored to open a 1–1 draw with the hosts in the final group game at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.

Coaching career

Alves took up coaching immediately after retiring, precisely with the Barcelos club. In 2008 he joined another team he played for, Leiria, also in the Segunda Liga. Due to poor results in the 2008–09 season, Alves was sacked by União de Leiria, but stayed in that league by moving to F.C. Vizela. In the following summer he rejoined former Sporting teammate Oceano's coaching staff at the Portugal under-21 side, while also being charged with the under-20s; after a handful of games he resigned and returned to Gil Vicente, winning the 2011 second-division championship with the subsequent promotion. After three years, which also brought a runner-up place in the Taça da Liga, Alves replaced former national teammate Abel Xavier at the helm of S.C. Olhanense early into the 2013–14 campaign, being dismissed after less than three months in charge and with only one point won in six league matches. Alves returned to management in December 2014, taking the helm at S.C. Beira-Mar, 14th in the second tier. The team suffered with serious financial problems over the season, and were sent to the Aveiro Football Association's second division as a punishment. On 3 December 2015, Alves was appointed at F.C. Penafiel until the end of the division two season, having been working in Iran for F.C. Nassaji Mazandaran. He remained in the job until being hired by C.F. União for 2017–18, being relieved of his duties on 2 October with the side placed 12th. He returned to Gil Vicente halfway through the campaign, and left on 23 February 2018 by mutual agreement having not won any of his seven fixtures. After a few months back in the Middle East with Ohod Club of Saudi Arabia, Alves returned to the Portuguese second tier in June 2019, at Varzim SC. He was dismissed on 18 October 2020, after three consecutive defeats in a five-game winless run. On 8 June 2022, Alves was hired by newly relegated Moreirense FC. He helped the club through their League Cup group, at the expense of national leaders S.L. Benfica on goals scored. He also won the second tier, confirming it with a 4–2 away victory over second-placed C.F. Estrela da Amadora. After achieving this, he left the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas. On 22 December 2023, Alves was appointed as manager of Primera Federación club CD Lugo. He was sacked less than two months later.

Career statistics

International goals

Managerial statistics

Honours

Player

Sporting CP Portugal

Manager

Gil Vicente Moreirense Individual