Understanding the game

About


Professional portrait of José Pedro Loureiro, Football Coach and Tactical Periodization Specialist.

🇵🇹 Portuguese

👶 Born in 30th July 1991

🏠 Living in Porto, Portugal

🪪 Driving Licence B Category

Bio

Highly ambitious UEFA coach with a strong interest in training methodology—particularly influenced by Tactical Periodisation—in which I have developed a solid understanding through independent study and professional exchange. Guided by a scientific mindset, I integrate physiology, neuroscience and other disciplines to manipulate training variables, ensuring that every session translates into elite performance. I firmly believe that high-quality coaching relies mostly on game-based exercises designed to foster specific Game Idea principles. Also working as a Match Analyst, I enjoy the strategic “chess” of the game, nullifying opponents through precise planning and adaptability.

Wanna jump on a call? Let’s get in contact!

Game Idea


My Game Idea is characterised by macro-principles and sub-principles that define the team’s identity across the four moments of the game. As I guide the players through specific interaction criteria, the sub-sub-principles—which define individual details—emerge from the players’ interactions with one another, established a priori by the sub-principles. This approach allows for a degree of freedom where individual creativity can flourish, achieving the perfect balance between an organised game and creative expression: unpredictable without being anarchic.

Regarding tactical systems, I do not have a fixed favourite. I always assess the players at my disposal and aim to accommodate the best talent as effectively as possible, ensuring a solid balance between quantity and quality to maximise the squad’s full potential.

There is also significant scope for strategic adjustments, allowing the team to exploit the opposition’s weaknesses while nullifying their strengths.

Offensive Organisation

Macro-Principle:
Attack with a secure ball possession, dominating the game

Criteria:

  1. Find a free man upfront
  2. Find a free man on side or backwards

Defensive Organisation

Macro-Principle:
Defend the goal with a compact block, while trying proactively to regain the possession

Criteria:

  1. Press to recover the ball possession
  2. Prevent the opponent to get near the goal

To act in a free manner, without acting freely 🧠

Offensive Transition

Macro-Principle:
Attack the opponent’s goal as fast as possible

Criteria:

  1. Attack the opponent’s goal
  2. Keep possession

Defensive Transition

Macro-Principle:
Recover the ball possession as fast as possible

Criteria:

  1. Recover the ball where loss took place
  2. Close the gaps in width and depth

This Game Idea contains detailed tactical subprinciples and sub-subprinciples. To unlock the full presentation, please a) schedule a call or b) request access below 🔐

Methodology


My approach is influenced by Tactical Periodisation and game-based training principles, connecting the game idea with the training process. This methodology resonates deeply with my footballing philosophy and was also the framework utilised during my tenure at the FC Porto academy (in partnership with FC Foz).

I have developed a solid understanding of these concepts through independent study, including specialised literature, academic articles, and Master’s dissertations, as well as attending conferences led by figures such as Vítor Matos, Luís Castro, Carlos Carvalhal, and Jorge Maciel, among others. I have also engaged in discussions with experienced coaches within this field.

This foundation allows me to design and justify training sessions—from drill structure and timing to spatial dynamics and player numbers—by integrating insights from physiology, neuroscience, and biomechanics, always aligned with the intended game model.

To ensure a well-rounded perspective, I also completed a Strength and Conditioning course by Alto Rendimento. This provided me with alternative training viewpoints, enhancing my versatility and allowing me to adapt to diverse footballing environments without being confined to a single methodological lens.

The following chart outlines a weekly training structure based on game-based principles and contextualised training approaches.

Access a complete training week including detailed exercises, specific objectives, and their physiological impact. To unlock the full presentation, please a) schedule a call or b) request access below 🔐

Skills


Versatile coach with a strong foundation in training methodology, combining game-based training, opponent analysis and adaptive leadership to maximise player and team performance.

Coaching Identity & Methodology

Game Idea Driven Coaching ⚽

  1. Training Methodology (Tactical Periodisation-Inspired)
  2. Morphocycle Planning (Load & Recovery Management)
  3. Performance Factors Integration (Technical, Tactical, Physical & Psychological)
  4. Contextualised Training Design (SSGs & Representative Tasks)
  5. Decision-Making Development through Game Principles
  6. Player Qualities Optimisation

Technical & Tactical Expertise

Performance Analysis & Strategy 📊

  1. Game Idea Clarity, Definition & Transmission
  2. Training Design Aligned with Game Demands
  3. Individual Creative Freedom
  4. Strategic Planning Based on Opponent
  5. Match Reporting & Insights
  6. Video Analysis & Editing (Metrica and LongoMatch)
  7. Talent Identification & Player Profiling

Leadership & Communication

Player Management & Team Dynamics 🗣️

  1. On-Field Communication & Presence
  2. Non-Verbal Communication & Public Speaking
  3. Player Motivation & Individual Management
  4. Staff Coordination & Task Distribution
  5. Multilingual Communication
    • 🇵🇹 C2 Portuguese
    • 🇬🇧 C2 English
    • 🇪🇸 C1 Spanish

Experience


An extensive coaching journey spanning from grassroots to senior professional levels. This progression across diverse competitive environments has fostered a high degree of adaptability and a comprehensive understanding of long-term player development and elite tactical performance.

  • Official emblem of FC Tirsense - Portuguese football club.
    FC Tirsense
    • 2025/26 | U-19 Head Coach
    • 2024/25 | Reserves Head Coach
  • Official emblem of AC Alfenense - Portuguese football club.
    AC Alfenense
    • 2024/25 | U-16 Head Coach
    • 2022/23 | U-17 Head Coach
  • Official emblem of Padroense FC - Portuguese football club.
    Padroense FC
    • 2021/22 | U-18 Assistant Coach
    • 2021/22 | U-13 to U-19 Scout
  • Official emblem of FC Foz - Portuguese football club.
    FC Foz
    • 2020/21 | First Team Assistant & Analyst
  • Official emblem of FC Porto - Major Portuguese football club.
    FC Porto (partnership with FC Foz)
    • 2020/21 | U-15 B Head Coach
    • 2019/20 | U-19 Assistant Coach
    • 2019/20 | U-10/11 Head Coach
    • 2018/19 | U-19 Assistant Coach
    • 2018/19 | U-10 Head Coach
    • 2017/18 | U-17 B Head Coach
    • 2017/18 | U-10 Head Coach
    • 2017-2021 | Grassroots & Development
Profile photograph of football coach José Loureiro during a training session.

🎖️ Achievements

  • 🎓 Best grade among 71 students in UEFA B
  • 🎓 Best grade among 30 students in the Training – from the Idea to the Drill course by FC Porto Football Sciences
  • 🥈 2ⁿᵈ (tied for 1ˢᵗ) in Porto’s U-15 Second Tier (2020/21)
  • 🥇 1ˢᵗ in Porto’s U-19 Second Tier (2019/20)
  • 🥉 3ʳᵈ in Porto’s U-10/11 Group (2019/20)
  • 🥉 3ʳᵈ in Porto’s U-17 Second Tier (2017/18)
  • 🥇 1ˢᵗ in Porto’s U-10 Second Tier Group (2017/18)
FC Foz U-10 football team celebrating finishing 1st in Porto's Second Tier Group, season 2017/18.

Other Experiences

Education


José Pedro Loureiro - Certificado de Treinador de Futebol UEFA B pela Federação Portuguesa de Futebol.

UEFA Diploma

⭐ Best grade on UEFA B course within 71 coaches.

My coaching education is centred around the UEFA B Licence, complemented by a number of specialised courses that have further developed my understanding of modern training methodology, player development and performance. Some of the most relevant:

  • Match Analysis Tools & Communication course by the Portuguese Football Federation
  • Strength and Conditioning course (500 hours) by Alto Rendimento
  • Training – from the Idea to the Drill course by FC Porto Football Sciences Institute (best grade in class)
  • Several FA courses delivered by the English Football Association.

Click the button below to view my full range of certifications, including technical courses, conferences, and specialist workshops.

Academic Background

🎓 Master of Science (MSc) in Digital Marketing

I hold a Master of Science in Digital Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication. This background led to a career in successful start-ups, where I excelled in Community Management, Customer Experience & Support, mastering the art of managing people and processes in high-pressure environments.

The experience in the digital sector has contributed significantly to my coaching career as well. It enables me to collaborate with clubs in managing comprehensive records of training sessions, matches, and technical reports, building scouting databases, and creating professional documentation.

Additionally, my communication expertise ensures I lead with clarity and precision, supported by strong non-verbal communication and confident public speaking.

business plan schedule written on the notebook

Recommendations


Contact

Let’s talk! 💬
Always open to discussing new opportunities, share thoughts and connect with new people.

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