Lito Vidigal


José Carlos Fernandes Vidigal, commonly known as Lito, is an Angolan former professional footballer who played as a defender, and the current manager of C.S. Marítimo.
He spent his entire playing career in Portugal, mainly with Belenenses in the Primeira Liga. An Angola international for five years, he played at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations.
Vidigal managed seven clubs in Portugal's top flight, including Belenenses. He also led his nation at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Playing career

Born in Luanda, Portuguese Angola, Vidigal spent his entire career in Portugal, representing at the professional level O Elvas CAD, S.C. Campomaiorense, C.F. Os Belenenses and C.D. Santa Clara and retiring in 2003 at the age of 34, playing 214 matches the Primeira Liga and the Segunda Liga combined.
Internationally, Vidigal appeared for Angola at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations, earning a total of 16 caps.

Coaching career

Immediately after retiring in 2004, Vidigal took up coaching, starting with lowly A.D. Pontassolense and G.D. Ribeirão. In 2008, he moved to C.F. Estrela da Amadora – coaching his younger brother Luís after he returned from a lengthy spell in Italy – and joined second level's Portimonense S.C. in February of the following year.
In late October 2009, as Manuel Fernandes bought out his contract at U.D. Leiria to return to his favorite club Vitória de Setúbal, Vidigal was named his successor. On 8 January 2011, he was appointed coach of the Angolan national side. The Black Antelopes qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in October, and were eliminated at the group stage of the final tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
With the stated aim of winning titles abroad rather than avoiding relegation in Portugal, Vidigal remained in Africa and signed with Libya's Al-Ittihad Club from December 2012. The following April, he left Tripoli due to political instability.
Sacked by AEL Limassol of the Cypriot First Division at the start of the campaign, Vidigal returned to Belenenses late into 2013–14, replacing Marco Paulo at the helm of the bottom-placed team and becoming their third coach of the season. Even though he did not finish the following campaign, being replaced by Jorge Simão with nine matches to go, the side eventually qualified to the UEFA Europa League after finishing sixth.
Vidigal repeated the feat in 2015–16 after leading F.C. Arouca to a best-ever classification of fifth, in only the club's third year in the top flight. Previously, in March 2016, he renewed his contract for two years.
In February 2017, Vidigal left Arouca for Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. on an 18-month contract with the option of a further year. Despite leading the team to the runners-up position behind Hapoel Be'er Sheva FC, he was sacked by director Jordi Cruyff at the end of the season.
Vidigal returned to Portugal's top flight in October 2017 when he was hired by C.D. Aves, but after disputes with the board he left the following January. Ahead of the following campaign, he signed a two-year deal at Vitória de Setúbal, and again parted before its conclusion. Days later, he replaced the sacked Jorge Simão at struggling Boavista FC.
On 17 December 2019, having taken 18 points from 14 league fixtures, Vidigal was dismissed. He returned to Setúbal the following 6 July, three points above the drop zone with four games to play. Having succeeded in that task, he moved on to C.S. Marítimo to replace José Manuel Gomes.

Personal life

Vidigal had 12 brothers and sisters, four of his male siblings being footballers: Beto, Luís, Toni and Jorge. His nephew, André, was also involved in the sport professionally.