Filipe Cândido


Filipe Manuel Nunes Cândido is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a left winger, and the manager of C.D. Mafra.

Playing career

Born in Lisbon, Cândido played most of his youth career with local Sporting CP before concluding his development at Real Madrid where he trained in the first team under Fabio Capello. Turning down the prospect of a loan to CD Leganés to kickstart his career in Spain, he returned to his homeland with Vitória de Setúbal.
Cândido totalled 16 matches and two goals in the Primeira Liga for Setúbal and S.C. Salgueiros, and a further 42 appearances and three goals in the Segunda Liga for F.C. Felgueiras and Leça FC. He spent the vast majority of his career in the amateur divisions, however.

Coaching career

After retiring at U.D. Sousense in 2013, Cândido immediately became manager of the third division side. After a spell with the under-19s of F.C. Paços de Ferreira, he returned to the senior game on 11 November 2016 as manager of former club Salgueiros. He won seven of his 16 fixtures in charge, resigning the following 3 April due to disputes with the board.
On 25 December 2018, Cândido resumed his career with U.D. Leiria, still in the third level. After winning their group, they lost in the play-off semi-finals to U.D. Vilafranquense in a penalty shootout. He quit on 29 January 2020, due to over four months of unpaid wages.
Cândido was given his first professional league managerial job on 20 May 2020, succeeding Vasco Seabra on a two-year deal with C.D. Mafra of the second tier.