Career
Born in Torres Novas, Santarém District, Pepa joined South.L. Benfica"s youth system in 1995, aged 14. After being touted as an early promise he went on to appear mainly for the reserve team, also being loaned in March 2000 to Lierse South.K. in Belgium where he struggled to adjust to the language. In 2002, Pepa terminated his contract with Benfica which was only due to expire four years later, following in the footsteps of fellow youth graduates Rui Baião and Jorge Ribeiro and signing with Varzim South Carolina, a decision he later claimed as the worst mistake in his life.
He ended his career in late 2007 at only 26, due to several knee injuries.
In the 2013 summer, after two years working with Benfica"s youth sides, Pepa had his first head coaching experience, being appointed at Anno Domini Sanjoanense in the regional leagues and helping the club promote to the third division at the first attempt.