Marco Paulo (footballer, born 1973)


Marco Paulo Faria de Lemos, known as Marco Paulo, is a Portuguese retired footballer who played as a central midfielder, and is a manager.

Playing career

Born in Lisbon, Marco Paulo spent seven of his first eight years as a senior with local G.D. Estoril Praia, playing his first two seasons in the Primeira Liga and a further five in the second division. After two years with F.C. Paços de Ferreira, one in each major level, he returned to the capital and joined C.F. Os Belenenses.
With Belenenses, Marco Paulo was regularly used during his four-season spell, inclusively serving as team captain. Aged 32, he returned to division two and Estoril, acting as interim player-coach during five games and achieving only one draw, after which he returned to the top flight with C.F. Estrela da Amadora.
After 21 league appearances in his debut campaign, veteran Marco Paulo was sparingly used in the following two, with Estrela also being relegated in 2009 due to financial irregularities. He closed out his career at 37 after one year with another club in the Lisbon area, C.D. Mafra, amassing top division totals of 244 matches and nine goals.

Coaching career

Marco Paulo was appointed director of football at former team Belenenses in early April 2010. On 17 February 2012, with the side ranking 11th in the second tier, he replaced José Mota as head coach, eventually leading them to the fifth position.
With the club again in the top division, Marco Paulo replaced Mitchell van der Gaag after the latter stepped down early in the season due to health problems. He was relieved of his duties in March 2014, due to poor results.