A Journey Forged in Passion and Persistence
Early Life and Qualifications: The Foundations of a Coaching Career
Born in Lisbon on September 3, 1980, João Tralhão holds the prestigious UEFA Pro Licence, signifying the pinnacle of coaching qualifications in European football. A Portuguese national, he is represented by ISM International Soccer Management, and his current contract as an assistant manager, working alongside José Mourinho, extends until June 30, 2029.
Benfica Academy: Nurturing Talent and Gaining Experience
Tralhão's professional development is almost entirely rooted in the Benfica academy system, where he dedicated nearly two decades to climbing through the club's youth ranks. His journey began in 2002 as an assistant coach for Benfica's Under-17 team, transitioning to the Under-19s a year later. By 2005, he earned his first head coaching position with Benfica's youth team, a role he held for two seasons. He then reverted to an assistant position with the Under-19s from 2007 to 2011, before taking full charge of that squad in 2011. From 2013 to 2018, he managed Benfica's Youth League team, often combining this with his duties for the Under-19s. In October 2018, he briefly ventured into senior football as an assistant to Thierry Henry at Monaco for 20 matches, before returning to Benfica to lead the Under-23 team in the same season.
Stepping into Senior Football: New Challenges and Collaborations
His entry into elite senior coaching truly began in 2020, when he took on his first head coaching role outside the Benfica system at Vilafranquense, overseeing 17 matches. Following this, Tralhão's career became deeply connected with Nuri Şahin, serving as his assistant at Antalyaspor in Turkey during the 2023/24 season. Their collaboration continued at Borussia Dortmund for the initial half of the 2024/25 season, a period spanning 27 matches.
The Mourinho Connection: A Pathway to Real Madrid
Tralhão's partnership with José Mourinho commenced in the 2025/26 season, initially as an assistant manager at Fenerbahçe. This initial stint was brief, lasting less than two months before both departed. He then rejoined Mourinho at Benfica in September 2025, working together for 45 matches. This successful collaboration has now culminated in Tralhão's move to Real Madrid, where he is slated to begin his role as assistant manager on July 1, 2026, with a contract extending until 2029.
A Record of Achievements and Significant Milestones
Beyond his roles and titles, Tralhão's time coaching Benfica's youth teams in the UEFA Youth League highlights some remarkable achievements. Notably, an 11-1 victory over Galatasaray in October 2015 stands as his most significant win, while a 3-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Youth League final in April 2014 remains one of his most challenging results, underscoring both the highs and lows of his extensive youth coaching caree
