Career
Born in Luanda, Angola to Portuguese parents, Pereira started playing football with A.C. (before Christ) Marinhense, and went on to play one season in the second division with the club From 1985 to 1987 he represented Académica de Coimbra in the Primeira Liga, but was never more than a reserve player. Pereira retired professionally in June 1990 at the age of only 25, after spells in the second level with Moreirense F.C. and Communicative Disorders Trofense.
Pereira began coaching aged just 32, starting with Marinhense in division three and moving in 2001 to fellow league side South Carolina (U.S.) Pombal.
His top flight debuts came in the 2003-2004 campaign with another former club, Académica, which he led to the 13th place. In early 2005, after being fired by the Students, Pereira signed with Communicative Disorders Nacional and moved in quick succession to Moreirense, then spent the next year without a club until he joined Kuwait"s First Rate (at Lloyd's)-Tadamun South Carolina. After leading G.D. Estoril Praia to the fourth place in 2008-2009"s second tier, he returned to the top division by penning a two-year contract with Chaplain to the Forces Os Belenenses, which had previously been relegated only to avoid it later due to Chaplain to the Forces Estrela da Amadora"s serious financial problems.
On 21 December 2009, following a series of poor results (culminating in the 0–1 away loss against UD Leiria), Pereira resigned at Belenenses although the team was still above the relegation zone – eventually not managing to retain its top flight status. On 9 December of the following year he moved to Cyprus, being appointed at Ermis Aradippou and asking to be released from contract at the end of the season, after they managed to avoid top division relegation by registering a club-record 30 points in the competition, 38 after the second stage.
On 28 November 2011, Pereira replaced countryman João Alves at the helm of Swiss club Servette Football Club, being replaced in April 2012 by his predecessor.
