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{{short description|Portuguese football manager and former player}}
{{use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Portuguese name|Vasconcelos|Leitão}}
{{Portuguese name|Vasconcelos|Leitão}}
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| name = Jorge Leitão
| name = Jorge Leitão
| image =
| image =
| fullname = Jorge Manuel Vasconcelos Leitão<ref name=Bio>{{cite web|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/jorge-leitao/beira-mar/1584-0-132355|title=Jorge Leitão|publisher=Mais Futebol|language=Portuguese|accessdate=25 June 2024}}</ref>
| fullname = Jorge Manuel Vasconcelos Leitão
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|1|14|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|1|14|df=y}}<ref name=Bio/>
| birth_place = Nespereira, [[Portugal]]
| birth_place = Nespereira, Portugal
| height = {{height|m=1.80}}
| height = {{height|m=1.80}}
| position = [[Forward (association football)#Striker|Striker]]
| position = [[Forward (association football)#Striker|Striker]]
| currentclub = [[F.C. Arouca|Arouca]] (assistant)
| currentclub =
⚫
| youthyears1 = 1991–1992 | youthclubs1 = [[S.C. Coimbrões|Coimbrões]]
| clubnumber =
⚫
| years1 = 1992–1997 | clubs1 = [[S.C. Coimbrões|Coimbrões]] | caps1 = | goals1 =
⚫
| youthyears1 = 1991–1992 | youthclubs1 = Coimbrőes
⚫
| years1 = 1992–1997 | clubs1 = Coimbrőes | caps1 = | goals1 =
| years2 = 1997–1998 | clubs2 = Avintes | caps2 = | goals2 =
| years2 = 1997–1998 | clubs2 = Avintes | caps2 = | goals2 =
| years3 = 1998–2000 | clubs3 = [[C.D. Feirense|Feirense]] | caps3 = 67 | goals3 = 21
| years3 = 1998–2000 | clubs3 = [[C.D. Feirense|Feirense]] | caps3 = 67 | goals3 = 21
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| years7 = 2009–2012 | clubs7 = [[F.C. Arouca|Arouca]] | caps7 = 83 | goals7 = 10
| years7 = 2009–2012 | clubs7 = [[F.C. Arouca|Arouca]] | caps7 = 83 | goals7 = 10
| totalcaps = 479 | totalgoals = 107
| totalcaps = 479 | totalgoals = 107
⚫
| manageryears1 = 2012–2018 | managerclubs1 = [[F.C. Arouca|Arouca]] (assistant)
| nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 =
⚫
| manageryears1 = 2012– | managerclubs1 = [[F.C. Arouca|Arouca]] (assistant)
| manageryears2 = 2017 | managerclubs2 = [[F.C. Arouca|Arouca]]
| manageryears2 = 2017 | managerclubs2 = [[F.C. Arouca|Arouca]]
| club-update =
| club-update =
| nationalteam-update =
}}
}}
'''Jorge Manuel Vasconcelos Leitão''' (born 14 January 1974) is a former Portuguese [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]], and is the current assistant manager of [[F.C. Arouca]].
'''Jorge Manuel Vasconcelos Leitão''' (born 14 January 1974) is a Portuguese retired professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]].


He was best known for his six-year spell with [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] in England, but also amassed totals of 169 games and 28 goals in the Portuguese [[Segunda Liga]] over the course of seven seasons.
He was known for his six-year spell with [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] in England, but he also scored 28 goals in 169 games in the Portuguese [[Segunda Liga]] over seven seasons.


==Football career==
==Club career==
===Early years / Walsall===
===Early years and Walsall===
Born in Nespereira, [[Cinfães]], [[Viseu District]], Leitão started playing in amateur football. At already 24 he signed with [[C.D. Feirense]], being relegated from the [[Segunda Liga]] in [[1998–99 Segunda Divisão de Honra|his first season]] and netting 14 goals in [[1999–2000 Segunda Divisão|his second]]. In July 2000 he moved to [[England]] with [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]], who paid [[Pound sterling|£]]150,000 for his services after three impressive trial games.
Born in Nespereira, [[Cinfães]], [[Viseu District]], Leitão started playing in amateur football. At 24, he signed with [[C.D. Feirense|Feirense]], being relegated from the [[Segunda Liga]] in his [[1998–99 Segunda Divisão de Honra|first season]] and netting 14 goals in [[1999–2000 Segunda Divisão|the second]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jn.pt/arquivo/2006/importante-e-estar-nas-contas-do-treinador-582011.html/|title="Importante é estar nas contas do treinador"|trans-title="What's important is that the manager counts on you"|newspaper=[[Jornal de Notícias]]|first=Alexandre|last=Silva|language=Portuguese|date=1 December 2006|accessdate=25 June 2024}}</ref> In July 2000, he moved to England with [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]], who paid [[Pound sterling|£]]150,000 for his services following an impressive trial spell.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2014/05/19/hero-jorge-to-wear-saddlers-shirt-again/|title=Hero Jorge to wear Saddlers shirt again|newspaper=[[Express & Star]]|date=19 May 2014|accessdate=25 June 2024}}</ref>


Leitão scored a career-best 18 goals in 44 matches in [[2000–01 Football League|his first season]] with Walsall, with the Saddlers promoting to the [[Football League Championship|Championship]] after disposing of [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] in the play-offs final. He was also named in the ''Division Two Player's Team of the Year''.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/1352124.stm Walsall break Reading hearts]; [[BBC Sport]], 27 May 2001</ref>
Leitão scored a career-best 18 goals in 44 matches in his [[2000–01 Football League|debut campaign]]. The Saddlers promoted to the [[EFL Championship|Championship]] after disposing of [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] in the play-off final.<ref name=Promotion>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/1352124.stm|title=Walsall break Reading hearts|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=27 May 2001|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref><ref name=WSOC>{{cite news|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/walsall-fc/2020/05/08/walsall-squad-of-the-century-the-strikers/|title=Walsall squad of the century: The strikers|newspaper=Express & Star|first=Liam|last=Keen|date=8 May 2020|accessdate=25 June 2024}}</ref>


In [[2001–02 Football League|2001–02]], after a difficult start, Leitão's fate was transformed following the sacking of [[Ray Graydon]]. In the first game under new manager [[Colin Lee]], he scored a brace at [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] in [[2001–02 FA Cup|the campaign]]'s [[FA Cup]] fourth round.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1780895.stm Walsall sink Addicks]; BBC Sport, 26 January 2002</ref> The team also managed to finally stay clear of the relegation zone, and he netted the goal that saved them from the drop, the only one in an away win over [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] on 13 April 2002;<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1923772.stm Sheff Utd 0–1 Walsall]; BBC Sport, 13 April 2002</ref> two weeks later, he extended his contract for a further two years.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/walsall/1960458.stm Duo earn new deals]; BBC Sport, 30 April 2002</ref>
In [[2001–02 Football League|2001–02]], after a difficult start, Leitão's fate was transformed following the sacking of [[Ray Graydon]]. In the first game under new manager [[Colin Lee]], he scored a brace at [[Premier League]]'s [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] in the [[2001–02 FA Cup|fourth round]] of the [[FA Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1780895.stm|title=Walsall sink Addicks|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 January 2002|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref> The team also managed to finally stay clear of the relegation zone, and he netted the goal that saved them from the drop, the only one in an away win over [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] on 13 April 2002;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1923772.stm|title=Sheff Utd 0–1 Walsall|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 April 2002|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref> two weeks later, he extended his contract for a further two years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/walsall/1960458.stm|title=Duo earn new deals|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 April 2002|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref>


[[2002–03 Football League|2002–03]] was Walsall's most successful season in the league since the 1950s, with Leitão pairing with Brazilian [[José Junior]] for a Portuguese-speaking front line which scored 30 goals. Highlights included a brace against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] (4–2 home win),<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2363901.stm Walsall 4–2 Stoke]; BBC Sport, 2 November 2002</ref> one against [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] (3–1, home)<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2530743.stm Walsall 3–1 Grimsby]; BBC Sport, 7 December 2002</ref> and the game's only against [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton Albion]] (also at home);<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2693883.stm Walsall 1–0 Brighton]; BBC Sport, 11 February 2003</ref> however, after the loss of Júnior to [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] in the summer – his replacement being former [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[England national football team|England]] star [[Paul Merson]] – the team [[2003–04 Football League|suffered relegation]], with Leitão netting seven goals (his lowest figure in one full season) in 39 games.
[[2002–03 Football League|2002–03]] was Walsall's most successful season in the league since the 1950s, with Leitão pairing with Brazilian [[José Junior]] for a Portuguese-speaking front line which scored 30 goals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2019/05/18/the-big-interview-i-will-always-be-a-walsall-fan-says-jorge-leitao/|title=The Big Interview: I will always be a Walsall fan says Jorge Leitao|newspaper=Express & Star|first=Joseph|last=Masi|date=18 May 2019|accessdate=25 June 2024}}</ref> Highlights included a brace against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] (4–2 home win),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2363901.stm|title=Walsall 4–2 Stoke|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 November 2002|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref> one against [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] (3–1, home)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2530743.stm|title=Walsall 3–1 Grimsby|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 December 2002|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref> and the game's only against [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]] (also at home);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/2693883.stm|title=Walsall 1–0 Brighton|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 February 2003|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref> however, after the loss of Júnior to [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] in the summer – his replacement being former [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[England national football team|England]] star [[Paul Merson]] – the team [[2003–04 Football League|suffered relegation]], with Leitão netting seven times from 39 appearances, his worst during his tenure.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/walsall-fc/2022/06/27/nightmare-start-when-paul-merson-and-walsall-gave-west-brom-an-opener-to-forget/|title=Nightmare start: When Paul Merson and Walsall gave West Brom an opener to forget|newspaper=Express & Star|first=Jonny|last=Drury|date=27 June 2022|accessdate=25 June 2024}}</ref><ref name=WSOC/>


In late December 2005, Leitão signed a pre-contract deal with [[S.C. Beira-Mar]] in his country, citing homesickness as a factor in his sudden departure from English football.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/walsall/4555498.stm Homesick Leitao to leave Saddlers]; BBC Sport, 23 December 2005</ref> Though the contract did not come into effect until June 2006, both Merson (now the team's manager) and chairman Jeff Bonser offered to release the player earlier, in recognition of the dedication he had given to the club in his five-and-a-half years of service. The penultimate of his 262 official games for Walsall (71 goals) was a 0–3 away defeat against [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]], in which he also suffered a [[groin]] injury; in his last, at [[Bescot Stadium]] against [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], he was treated to a near half-hour rendition of his name by the home fans, eventually being reduced to tears before leaving the field through a guard of honour composed of some of his teammates.<ref>[http://www.walsall.web-fans.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=717:memory-lane-jorge-leitao-&catid=10:memory-lane&Itemid=10 Memory Lane – Jorge Leitão] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321140514/http://www.walsall.web-fans.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=717%3Amemory-lane-jorge-leitao-&catid=10%3Amemory-lane&Itemid=10 |date=21 March 2012 }}; Walsall Web Fans, 21 May 2010</ref>
In late December 2005, Leitão signed a pre-contract with [[S.C. Beira-Mar|Beira-Mar]] in his country, citing homesickness as a factor in his sudden departure from English football.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/walsall/4555498.stm|title=Homesick Leitao to leave Saddlers|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 December 2005|accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref> Though the deal did not come into effect until June 2006, both Merson (now the team's manager) and chairman Jeff Bonser offered to release the player earlier, in recognition of the dedication he had given to the club in his five and a half years of service. The penultimate of his 262 competitive matches for Walsall (71 goals) was a 3–0 defeat away to [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]], in which he also suffered a [[groin]] injury; in his last, at [[Bescot Stadium]] against [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], he was treated to a near half-hour rendition of his name by the home fans, eventually being reduced to tears before leaving the field through a guard of honour composed of some of his teammates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walsall.web-fans.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=717:memory-lane-jorge-leitao-&catid=10:memory-lane&Itemid=10|title=Memory Lane – Jorge Leitão|publisher=Walsall Web Fans|date=21 May 2010|accessdate=18 March 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321140514/http://www.walsall.web-fans.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=717%3Amemory-lane-jorge-leitao-&catid=10%3Amemory-lane&Itemid=10|archivedate=21 March 2012}}</ref><ref name=WSOC/>


===Late career===
===Later career===
After helping Beira-Mar promote to the [[Primeira Liga]] in [[2005–06 Liga de Honra|2006]], Leitão had his first – and only – experience in the competition, scoring twice in 11 appearances as the [[Aveiro, Portugal|Aveiro]] side was [[2006–07 Primeira Liga|immediately relegated back]]. He subsequently played two-and-a-half seasons with Feirense (in the second level) and, aged 35, moved to modest [[F.C. Arouca]], which he helped [[2011–12 Liga de Honra|reach the top flight]] for the first time ever.
After helping Beira-Mar promote to the [[Primeira Liga]] in [[2005–06 Liga de Honra|2006]], Leitão had his only experience in the competition, scoring twice in ten appearances as the [[Aveiro, Portugal|Aveiro]] side were [[2006–07 Primeira Liga|immediately relegated]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cmjornal.pt/desporto/detalhe/forte-resposta-vale-tres-pontos|title=Forte resposta vale três pontos|trans-title=Strong reply awards three points|newspaper=[[Correio da Manhã (Portugal)|Correio da Manhã]]|language=Portuguese|date=27 November 2006|accessdate=25 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/detalhe/beira-mar-belenenses-1-2-jorge-leitao-51-jose-pedro-5-dady-41|title=BEIRA-MAR-BELENENSES, 1–2 (Jorge Leitão 51'; José Pedro 5', Dady 41')|newspaper=[[Record (Portuguese newspaper)|Record]]|language=Portuguese|date=2 December 2006|accessdate=25 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.publico.pt/2007/05/20/desporto/noticia/desportivo-das-aves-e-beiramar-descem-a-liga-de-honra-1294541|title=Desportivo das Aves e Beira-Mar descem à Liga de Honra|trans-title=Desportivo das Aves and Beira-Mar relegated to Honour League|newspaper=[[Público (Portugal)|Público]]|language=Portuguese|date=20 May 2007|accessdate=25 June 2024}}</ref> He subsequently spent two and a half seasons with Feirense in the second tier and, aged 35, moved to modest [[F.C. Arouca|Arouca]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/2a-liga/noticias/jorge-leitao-esta-de-saida-do-arouca-9379954.html/|title=Jorge Leitão está de saída do Arouca|trans-title=Jorge Leitão is leaving Arouca|newspaper=[[O Jogo]]|first=Hugo|last=Monteiro|language=Portuguese|date=25 May 2018|accessdate=25 June 2024}}</ref>


Immediately after retiring, Leitão was named his last club's assistant coach. On 21 March 2017 he became the third first-team manager of [[2016–17 Primeira Liga|the season]] after [[Lito Vidigal]] and [[Manuel Machado (football manager)|Manuel Machado]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/arouca/noticias/interior/oficial-manuel-machado-rescinde-com-o-arouca-5740167.html|title=Oficial: Manuel Machado rescinde com o Arouca|trans-title=Official: Manuel Machado terminated at Arouca|newspaper=[[O Jogo]]|language=Portuguese|date=21 March 2017|accessdate=27 May 2017}}</ref> He was not able to prevent top tier relegation, after winning only once in his five games in charge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribunaexpresso.pt/futebol-nacional/2017-05-22-O-desalinhamento-do-cosmos-a-Lei-de-Murphy-Lito-Vidigal-e-o-vapor-do-fumo--ou-a-queda-do-Arouca-explicada-|title=O desalinhamento do cosmos, a Lei de Murphy, Lito Vidigal e o vapor do fumo (ou a queda do Arouca explicada)|trans-title=Cosmos unaligned, Murphy's law, Lito Vidigal and the fumes (or reasoning Arouca's fall)|newspaper=[[Expresso (newspaper)|Expresso]]|language=Portuguese|date=22 May 2017|accessdate=27 May 2017}}</ref>
Immediately after retiring, Leitão was named his last club's assistant coach. On 21 March 2017 he became the third first-team manager of [[2016–17 Primeira Liga|the season]] after [[Lito Vidigal]] and [[Manuel Machado (football manager)|Manuel Machado]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/arouca/noticias/interior/oficial-manuel-machado-rescinde-com-o-arouca-5740167.html|title=Oficial: Manuel Machado rescinde com o Arouca|trans-title=Official: Manuel Machado terminated at Arouca|newspaper=O Jogo|language=Portuguese|date=21 March 2017|accessdate=27 May 2017}}</ref> He was not able to prevent top-division relegation, after winning only once in his five games in charge.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tribunaexpresso.pt/futebol-nacional/2017-05-22-O-desalinhamento-do-cosmos-a-Lei-de-Murphy-Lito-Vidigal-e-o-vapor-do-fumo--ou-a-queda-do-Arouca-explicada-|title=O desalinhamento do cosmos, a Lei de Murphy, Lito Vidigal e o vapor do fumo (ou a queda do Arouca explicada)|trans-title=Cosmos unaligned, Murphy's law, Lito Vidigal and the fumes (or reasoning Arouca's fall)|newspaper=[[Expresso (newspaper)|Expresso]]|first=Lídia|last=Paralta Gomes|language=Portuguese|date=22 May 2017|accessdate=27 May 2017}}</ref>


==Honours==
==Honours==
;Walsall
'''Walsall'''
*[[Football League Second Division]]: Play-off winner [[2001 Football League Second Division play-off Final|2001]]
*[[Football League Second Division]] play-off winner: [[2001 Football League Second Division play-off final|2001]]<ref name=Promotion/>


;Beira-Mar
'''Beira-Mar'''
*[[Segunda Liga]]: [[2005–06 Liga de Honra|2005–06]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sites.ecclesia.pt/cv/na-despedida-da-liga-ovarense-ganha-na-honra/|title=Na despedida da Liga, Ovarense ganha (na) Honra|trans-title=In League's curtain call, Ovarense win (in) Honour|newspaper=Correio do Vouga|language=Portuguese|date=11 May 2006|accessdate=26 June 2024}}</ref>
*[[Segunda Liga]]: [[2005–06 Liga de Honra|2005–06]]


;Arouca
'''Arouca'''
*[[Segunda Divisão]]: [[2009–10 Segunda Divisão|2009–10]]
*[[Segunda Divisão]]: [[2009–10 Segunda Divisão|2009–10]]


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==External links==
==External links==
*{{Zerozero}}
*{{ForaDeJogo}}
*{{ForaDeJogo}}
*{{Soccerbase}}
*{{Soccerbase}}


{{Walsall F.C. Player of the Season}}
{{Walsall F.C. Player of the Season}}
{{F.C. Arouca managers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leitao, Jorge}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leitao, Jorge}}

[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Portuguese footballers]]
[[Category:People from Cinfães]]
[[Category:Association football forwards]]
[[Category:Portuguese men's footballers]]
[[Category:Footballers from Viseu District]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Primeira Liga players]]
[[Category:Primeira Liga players]]
[[Category:Segunda Liga players]]
[[Category:Liga Portugal 2 players]]
[[Category:Portuguese Second Division players]]
[[Category:Segunda Divisão players]]
[[Category:S.C. Coimbrões players]]
[[Category:C.D. Feirense players]]
[[Category:C.D. Feirense players]]
[[Category:S.C. Beira-Mar players]]
[[Category:S.C. Beira-Mar players]]
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[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Walsall F.C. players]]
[[Category:Walsall F.C. players]]
[[Category:Portuguese expatriate footballers]]
[[Category:Portuguese expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Portuguese expatriates in England]]
[[Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:Portuguese football managers]]
[[Category:Portuguese football managers]]
[[Category:Primeira Liga managers]]
[[Category:Primeira Liga managers]]
[[Category:F.C. Arouca managers]]

Latest revision as of 13:49, 8 July 2024

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Vasconcelos and the second or paternal family name is Leitão.
Jorge Leitão
Personal information
Full name Jorge Manuel Vasconcelos Leitão[1]
Date of birth (1974-01-14) 14 January 1974 (age 50)[1]
Place of birth Nespereira, Portugal
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1991–1992 Coimbrões
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1997 Coimbrões
1997–1998 Avintes
1998–2000 Feirense 67 (21)
2000–2005 Walsall 233 (57)
2006–2007 Beira-Mar 27 (8)
2007–2009 Feirense 69 (11)
2009–2012 Arouca 83 (10)
Total 479 (107)
Managerial career
2012–2018 Arouca (assistant)
2017 Arouca
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jorge Manuel Vasconcelos Leitão (born 14 January 1974) is a Portuguese retired professional footballer who played as a striker.

He was known for his six-year spell with Walsall in England, but he also scored 28 goals in 169 games in the Portuguese Segunda Liga over seven seasons.

Club career

[edit]

Early years and Walsall

[edit]

Born in Nespereira, Cinfães, Viseu District, Leitão started playing in amateur football. At 24, he signed with Feirense, being relegated from the Segunda Liga in his first season and netting 14 goals in the second.[2] In July 2000, he moved to England with Walsall, who paid £150,000 for his services following an impressive trial spell.[3]

Leitão scored a career-best 18 goals in 44 matches in his debut campaign. The Saddlers promoted to the Championship after disposing of Reading in the play-off final.[4][5]

In 2001–02, after a difficult start, Leitão's fate was transformed following the sacking of Ray Graydon. In the first game under new manager Colin Lee, he scored a brace at Premier League's Charlton Athletic in the fourth round of the FA Cup.[6] The team also managed to finally stay clear of the relegation zone, and he netted the goal that saved them from the drop, the only one in an away win over Sheffield United on 13 April 2002;[7] two weeks later, he extended his contract for a further two years.[8]

2002–03 was Walsall's most successful season in the league since the 1950s, with Leitão pairing with Brazilian José Junior for a Portuguese-speaking front line which scored 30 goals.[9] Highlights included a brace against Stoke City (4–2 home win),[10] one against Grimsby Town (3–1, home)[11] and the game's only against Brighton & Hove Albion (also at home);[12] however, after the loss of Júnior to Derby County in the summer – his replacement being former Arsenal and England star Paul Merson – the team suffered relegation, with Leitão netting seven times from 39 appearances, his worst during his tenure.[13][5]

In late December 2005, Leitão signed a pre-contract with Beira-Mar in his country, citing homesickness as a factor in his sudden departure from English football.[14] Though the deal did not come into effect until June 2006, both Merson (now the team's manager) and chairman Jeff Bonser offered to release the player earlier, in recognition of the dedication he had given to the club in his five and a half years of service. The penultimate of his 262 competitive matches for Walsall (71 goals) was a 3–0 defeat away to Bristol City, in which he also suffered a groin injury; in his last, at Bescot Stadium against Blackpool, he was treated to a near half-hour rendition of his name by the home fans, eventually being reduced to tears before leaving the field through a guard of honour composed of some of his teammates.[15][5]

Later career

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After helping Beira-Mar promote to the Primeira Liga in 2006, Leitão had his only experience in the competition, scoring twice in ten appearances as the Aveiro side were immediately relegated.[16][17][18] He subsequently spent two and a half seasons with Feirense in the second tier and, aged 35, moved to modest Arouca.[19]

Immediately after retiring, Leitão was named his last club's assistant coach. On 21 March 2017 he became the third first-team manager of the season after Lito Vidigal and Manuel Machado.[20] He was not able to prevent top-division relegation, after winning only once in his five games in charge.[21]

Honours

[edit]

Walsall

Beira-Mar

Arouca

References

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  1. ^ a b "Jorge Leitão" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  2. ^ Silva, Alexandre (1 December 2006). ""Importante é estar nas contas do treinador"" ["What's important is that the manager counts on you"]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Hero Jorge to wear Saddlers shirt again". Express & Star. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Walsall break Reading hearts". BBC Sport. 27 May 2001. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  5. ^ a b c Keen, Liam (8 May 2020). "Walsall squad of the century: The strikers". Express & Star. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Walsall sink Addicks". BBC Sport. 26 January 2002. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  7. ^ "Sheff Utd 0–1 Walsall". BBC Sport. 13 April 2002. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  8. ^ "Duo earn new deals". BBC Sport. 30 April 2002. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  9. ^ Masi, Joseph (18 May 2019). "The Big Interview: I will always be a Walsall fan says Jorge Leitao". Express & Star. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Walsall 4–2 Stoke". BBC Sport. 2 November 2002. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  11. ^ "Walsall 3–1 Grimsby". BBC Sport. 7 December 2002. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  12. ^ "Walsall 1–0 Brighton". BBC Sport. 11 February 2003. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  13. ^ Drury, Jonny (27 June 2022). "Nightmare start: When Paul Merson and Walsall gave West Brom an opener to forget". Express & Star. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Homesick Leitao to leave Saddlers". BBC Sport. 23 December 2005. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  15. ^ "Memory Lane – Jorge Leitão". Walsall Web Fans. 21 May 2010. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  16. ^ "Forte resposta vale três pontos" [Strong reply awards three points]. Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). 27 November 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  17. ^ "BEIRA-MAR-BELENENSES, 1–2 (Jorge Leitão 51'; José Pedro 5', Dady 41')". Record (in Portuguese). 2 December 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  18. ^ "Desportivo das Aves e Beira-Mar descem à Liga de Honra" [Desportivo das Aves and Beira-Mar relegated to Honour League]. Público (in Portuguese). 20 May 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  19. ^ Monteiro, Hugo (25 May 2018). "Jorge Leitão está de saída do Arouca" [Jorge Leitão is leaving Arouca]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Oficial: Manuel Machado rescinde com o Arouca" [Official: Manuel Machado terminated at Arouca]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 21 March 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  21. ^ Paralta Gomes, Lídia (22 May 2017). "O desalinhamento do cosmos, a Lei de Murphy, Lito Vidigal e o vapor do fumo (ou a queda do Arouca explicada)" [Cosmos unaligned, Murphy's law, Lito Vidigal and the fumes (or reasoning Arouca's fall)]. Expresso (in Portuguese). Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  22. ^ "Na despedida da Liga, Ovarense ganha (na) Honra" [In League's curtain call, Ovarense win (in) Honour]. Correio do Vouga (in Portuguese). 11 May 2006. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
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