Following Rui Borges' exit, one manager edges out Farioli by a single month

So young, yet already a seasoned figure. Vasco Botelho da Costa is currently the longest-serving manager in Portugal's top flight, claiming the distinction following Rui Borges' recent departure from Sporting.

Appointed on 5 June 2025, the Lisbon-born tactician edges out FC Porto's Francesco Farioli in this particular sprint by just one month and a day, with the Italian having officially taken charge on 6 July last year.

Yet beyond mere longevity, it is his managerial quality that truly demands attention. At 37, Botelho da Costa has consistently showcased his tactical pedigree across every level he has navigated, delivering results season after season.

His coaching journey began in the grassroots setup at Dramático de Cascais before taking him to Estoril around a decade later. His time on the coast proved richly rewarding, yielding four pieces of silverware. Across the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns, Botelho da Costa guided Estoril's Under-23 side to consecutive Liga Revelação and Taça Revelação titles, wrapping up back-to-back doubles.

Continuing his upward trajectory, he then took the reins at UD Leiria, where success followed immediately: winning the Liga 3 title in 2022/23 to secure promotion to the second tier. After another season at the helm, he moved to Alverca in 2024/25 and orchestrated another celebration, earning promotion to the top flight.

That achievement opened the doors to the Primeira Liga with Moreirense. Backed by the Minho outfit, he emphatically validated their faith by guiding the club to an admirable seventh-place finish last season.

In the current campaign, stability reigns supreme, with the green-and-whites sitting comfortably in ninth place. It bears the unmistakable hallmark of a young manager who has unexpectedly become the division's senior figure.