Coach Custódio Castro up for the challenge of guiding Alverca into a brave new world | OneFootball

The recent transformation of F.C. Alverca from top to bottom involved a courageous decision as regards the club’s head coach, with the appointment of Custódio Castro in the close season.

After two successive promotions under two different managers, the Ribatejo outfit were forced to make another change in the dugout as Vasco Botelho da Costa left to take over at Moreirense. In keeping with the squad-building ethos of promoting youthful players eager to prove themselves, the hierarchy opted for an untested coach at this level.

Former Portugal international Custódio Castro was the man selected by the board to oversee Alverca’s first campaign back in Portugal’s top flight after a 20-year absence.

The ex Sporting and Braga midfielder had been working as part of the coaching team at Braga since hanging up his boots in 2017. He has been manager of Braga’s youth, under-23 and B teams, and even had a brief period at the helm of the first team when they were between managers. All in all, Cústodio has accumulated considerable experience as a coach, leading different versions of the Warriors for almost 150 matches.

“Is this the right time for me to make my debut as a coach in the top flight? I can’t say. I look at this like everything in life. When we become parents, we’re not certain if it is the right time but we take on board the experience. I made my debut as a player in Portugal’s top flight as an 18-year-old and didn’t think twice,” Custódio told in-house television channel Alverca TV.

“This opportunity happened when it happened. I feel prepared, ready to pass on the knowledge I have acquired through the work I have done. I also look at this as a big challenge. Being a coach is a big challenge. Being the Alverca coach at this time is a big challenge. And I feel very excited and prepared for it.”

Tough start, quick recovery

Under Custódio, the newly promoted side did not make the best of starts, losing three and drawing one of their first four Liga Portugal matches of 2025/26. Nevertheless, the team’s displays were better than the results suggested, as pointed out by Alverca Managing Director Pedro Alves in an interview on TV sports channel Canal 11.

“Yes, the opening results have not been good but I don’t look at that,” said Alves, when asked if Cústodio’s job was at risk. “I look at the performances. And the performances have been positive.”

The confidence in his coach was far from misplaced, with Alverca going on to win three of their next four league matches. The club currently lie comfortably in mid-table in 9th spot.

Custódio is under no illusions about the size of task he faces, having to mould a completely new squad into a cohesive team. Remarkably only one player was kept on from last season, midfielder Diogo Martins, with an extremely young and inexperienced squad constructed whereby 25 of the players are under 23 years of age.

The manager has emphasised that the full backing of the local community is crucial for Alverca to be able to compete strongly on their return back in the big time, at the same time praising the club’s investments to provide the foundations for sustainable growth.

“The club got promoted consecutively from Liga 3 to Liga 2 and from Liga 2 to the First Division, and that led to the need to reformulate the entire squad. In constructing our squad, as well as trying to bring in versatile players and making it a homogenous group, we made a point of targeting players who are hungry for success.

“We need the whole town behind us to make us stronger and help us achieve our goals. We have a completely refurbished stadium. We are creating better conditions for everyone involved in the project, but especially for the fans.

“I think that, like all of us, they are really looking forward seeing the remodelled stadium and I’m sure it will be another factor that brings the club and the town closer together.”

Cústodio’s playing career

Born in Brito, Guimarães, in northern Portugal, Custódio moved south to the capital as a teenager to join Sporting CP’s training academy. He made his debut for the Lisbon giants in 2002 and played for the club for five years, wearing the captain’s armband occasionally.

After briefly trying his luck abroad at Dynamo Moscow, he returned to the place of his birth – the Minho region – where he played the bulk of the second half of his career, mainly at Braga after a short spell at Vitória.

Career highlights include scoring in Braga’s 1-0 home victory over Benfica in the Europa League semi-final second leg to send the Warriors to the final in Dublin at Benfica’s expense, and taking part in Euro 2012 where Portugal reaching the semi-finals.

Custódio as a coach