Luís Boa Morte

Luís Boa Morte Pereira (Template:IPA; born 4 August 1977) is a Portuguese football coach and a former professional football player who played as an attacking winger, forward and centre midfielder. He is currently assistant coach of Thomas Reis at Samsunspor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Having come through the youth ranks with Sporting CP, Boa Morte joined Premier League side Arsenal in 1997. He went on to play in England's top flight for Southampton, Fulham and West Ham United. He was released in 2011 and joined Greek side Larissa before moving on to South African club Orlando Pirates. In October 2012, he returned to England and joined fourth-tier side Chesterfield.

Part of the Portugal national team from 2001 to 2009, Boa Morte earned 28 caps for Portugal. He was selected for the 2004 Olympics and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Sporting CP

Born in Lisbon to parents from São Tomé and Príncipe,<ref>Path: /Published/CityPress/2012/01/29/CP/Texts/dmBoaMorte.xml Creator: system Last Modified by: lklootwyk Print Chanal: Media_24_CityPress Edition: CP Publication Date: 201201... Template:Webarchive</ref> Boa Morte started his professional career with Sporting CP.

Arsenal

Boa Morte made his debut in English football for Arsenal when he became one of Arsène Wenger's first signings for the club, joining for a fee of £1.75 million.

He made his debut on 23 August 1997 as a substitute against Southampton. During Arsenal's double winning 1997–98 season, he made 15 league appearances, mostly as substitute and four in the FA Cup,<ref name="d98">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> although he did not appear in the final itself. He scored two goals this season, with both coming in a League Cup tie against Birmingham City.<ref name="d98" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The following season, he was a fairly regular squad member, usually as substitute in the early part of the season, with a few European Cup appearances, including against Panathinaikos on 9 December 1998, when he scored Arsenal's third goal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His fourth and final Arsenal goal came against Preston North End in the FA Cup.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He came on as a substitute as Arsenal won the 1999 FA Charity Shield.<ref name="cs99" /> His final appearance for Arsenal was as a second-half substitute away to Sunderland on 14 August 1999.

Southampton

In his season at The Dell, he made a total of 17 appearances, mostly as substitute, with one goal – a thundering left foot drive at Watford in a 2–3 defeat on 28 December 1999.<ref name=hampshire>Template:Cite news</ref>

Fulham

Boa Morte in action for Fulham

In his first season at Fulham, he helped Jean Tigana's side win the 2000–01 Division 1 title, making 39 league appearances and scoring 18 goals as Fulham ran away with the Championship with a total of 101 points.<ref name="lg01a">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="lg01b">Template:Cite web</ref> His contributions to the championship-winning season resulted in him being signed permanently in June 2001 (on a fee of £1.7 million paid to Arsenal), despite Southampton's attempts to bring him back after the expiry of the loan arrangement.

In Fulham's first two seasons in the Premiership, he was not able to replicate his form of the Championship-winning season, scoring only three goals, although his form returned to some extent in 2003–04, since when he averaged eight goals per season. He gave away all of his kit to the fans on the last game of the season, including his shorts. He was also voted Player of the Season for 2004–05 and got the nickname Dead Snake as a joking mistranslation of his surname.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Boa Morte accused Everton forward Duncan Ferguson of racial abuse after an FA Cup fourth round match in January 2004. The accusation was dismissed by the Football Association, who found insufficient evidence.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In August 2005, Boa Morte was made team captain.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 19 March 2006, he scored the only goal in the 1–0 win over league leaders and reigning champions Chelsea in the West London derby at Craven Cottage; it was Fulham's first win over their neighbours since 1979.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

He became a favourite amongst Fulham's supporters whilst he played for them, for his impassioned, never-say-die and sometimes aggressive style of play – although this led to problems with referees.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Even though his form dipped towards the end of his Fulham career, he was considered something of a cult hero there due to his ability to take players on, his ability to "cause panic like an unpinned grenade in the opposition ranks", and his "emotional character, a trait that strengthened the bond between him and the fans".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

West Ham United

Boa Morte with West Ham in 2010

Boa Morte signed for West Ham United in January 2007 on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee, which was believed to be around £5 million.<ref name="Hammers snare Boa Morte">Template:Cite web</ref>

He played his first game for the Hammers in an FA Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion, setting up two goals and on 13 January 2007 in the Premier League against former team Fulham. On 28 April 2007, he scored his first goal for the club in an important 3–0 win against Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 29 July 2009, Boa Morte picked up a serious injury in the pre-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur. West Ham were playing in the Premier League Asia Trophy in Beijing when Boa Morte got his studs stuck in the ground, twisted his knee and suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Boa Morte made his comeback from injury on 13 April 2010, playing 45 minutes in a reserve team 4–1 defeat by Wolves reserves.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Making an appearance in the first team for the first time since the end of 2008–09 season he opened the scoring for West Ham against Manchester City in a 1–1 draw on 9 May 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was his first goal for West Ham for over three years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In June 2010, West Ham Chairman David Sullivan announced that Boa Morte had been offered a new deal as his contract was due to finish at the end of the 2009–10 season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 17 June 2010, Boa Morte signed a new two-year contract saying that he was looking forward to working with new West Ham manager, Avram Grant for the next two seasons.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In August 2011 Boa Morte's contract with West Ham was cancelled by mutual consent.<ref name=TFFT>Template:Cite web</ref>

AEL

In August 2011 Boa Morte signed a two-year contract with AEL.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He thus rejoined former coach Chris Coleman whom he worked with over four years at Fulham. Luis Boa Morte signaled his intent to help Larissa back to top flight football in Greece. He provided his first assist in an impressive 3–0 away win over Veria on 20 November 2011. However, he left in January 2012, just six months into his stay, due to financial problems at the club. He was immediately linked with moves to South African Premier League sides Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Orlando Pirates

On 24 January 2012, it was confirmed by Orlando Pirates boss Irvin Khoza that Boa Morte had signed an 18-month deal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He made only two starts for Pirates and left the club on 14 May.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Boa Morte joined Football League One team Portsmouth on trial on 27 September 2012, along with Ákos Buzsáky.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Chesterfield

On 10 October 2012, Boa Morte signed for League Two side Chesterfield. He commented "The most important thing for me now is to play football," and confirming the initial length of his contract added "I'll be here until the end of January but that doesn't mean I won't stay until the end of the season." The move followed a chance meeting with former Fulham teammate Mark Crossley who was a coach with the club.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His contract was not renewed in January 2013 and he left the club.<ref name="Chesterfield exit">Template:Cite news</ref>

In August 2013, Boa Morte joined Four Marks, ranked bottom in the Hampshire Premier League in the 11th tier of the English football league system.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He knew their manager, who used to run security at Fulham.<ref name=hampshire/>

International career

Boa Morte made his debut for the Portugal national football team on 25 April 2001 in a friendly 4–0 defeat away to World and European champions France, as an 87th-minute substitute for Rui Jorge. His only goal came in a 5–1 home win against Angola on 14 November that year,Template:Citation needed a game which had to be abandoned when the African team were reduced to six players on the pitch.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Boa Morte was not selected by manager Luiz Felipe Scolari for UEFA Euro 2004. His former Fulham teammate Louis Saha publicly called the omission "revolting and scandalous", and advised Boa Morte never to play for Portugal again.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Later that year, he was included in the under-23 team for the Olympic tournament in Greece in which they came bottom of their group. He was sent off early in the second half of a 4–2 loss to Iraq for a kick at Bassim Abbas, in a match that received widespread media coverage due to the ongoing war in the opponents' nation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Boa Morte was part of Scolari's team that came fourth at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, playing ten minutes in place of captain Luís Figo at the end of a 2–1 win over Mexico in the final group game.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After an absence of three years, he was recalled by Carlos Queiroz on 29 May 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He earned his first cap since 2006 on 6 June in a 2–1 win in Tirana against Albania in a 2010 World Cup qualifier.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made 27 appearances, scoring once, for Portugal from 2001 to 2009.<ref>Template:NFT player</ref>

Coaching career

Boa Morte as Fulham first-team coach, 2024

After retiring, Boa Morte immediately spent time assisting the coaches at the Fulham academy.<ref>Where is Luis Boa Morte now?, premierleagueheroes.com</ref> In the summer 2014, Boa Morte was appointed assistant manager of Sporting CP B, the reserve team of Sporting CP.<ref>O REGRESSO DE LUÍS BOA MORTE AO SPORTING, sporting.filtro.pt, 17 July 2014</ref> After three months, he was appointed manager of the club's U19s.<ref>JOSÉ LIMA PODE SER COORDENADOR DA FORMAÇÃO, supersporting.net, 29 October 2014</ref> He was in charge until the end of the season, where he moved to Arsenal and worked as a scout.<ref>Report: Arsenal interested in Danilo Pereira, theshortfuse.sbnation.com, 25 December 2015</ref> He left Arsenal in February 2017, to become manager of Sintrense.<ref>Luis Boa Morte leaves scouting role to take job in Portugal, dailycannon.com, 3 February 2017</ref><ref>Luís Boa Morte treinador do Sintrense‚ ojogo.pt, 2 February 2017</ref>

In June 2018, he was appointed manager of Portimonense's U23 squad.<ref>Luís Boa Morte confirmado nos sub-23 do Portimonense, ojogo.pt, 12 June 2018</ref> He left the position to become assistant manager of Maccabi Haifa on 15 January 2019.<ref>Luís Boa Morte: «Agarrar as oportunidades», record.pt, 16 January 2019</ref>

In June 2019, Boa Morte was appointed as assistant manager to compatriot Marco Silva at Everton.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was sacked, along with Silva, in December.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Following Silva's appointment as manager at Fulham in July 2021, Boa Morte joined him as first team coach.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 19 March 2024, it was announced that Boa Morte would be leaving Fulham at the end of the season to take up the role as manager of Guinea-Bissau.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His first game in charge, on 6 June 2024 resulted in a goalless draw against Ethiopia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

Boa Morte made a guest appearance as himself in a February 1999 episode of the BBC children's drama series Grange Hill, giving out prizes at a school sports day.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He appeared on the MTV reality series Cribs, showing viewers a relatively modest detached house in Surrey and his Vauxhall Corsa; he said that he had never been in his own garden.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Boa Morte's nephew Aylton (born 1993) is also a professional footballer, playing as a winger.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Arsenal	1997–98	Premier League	15	0	4	0	1	2	1	0	21	2
	1998–99		8	0	1	1	2	0	3	1	14	2
	1999–2000		2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	Total		25	0	5	1	3	2	4	1	37	4
Southampton	1999–2000	Premier League	14	1	1	0	2	0	0	0	17	1
Fulham (loan)	2000–01	First Division	39	18	1	0	6	3	0	0	46	21
Fulham	2001–02	Premier League	23	1	3	0	3	1	1	0	30	2
	2002–03		29	2	2	0	1	1	11	2	43	5
	2003–04		33	9	5	1	1	0	0	0	39	10
	2004–05		31	8	5	1	3	0	0	0	39	9
	2005–06		35	6	1	0	1	1	0	0	37	7
	2006–07		15	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	0
	Total		166	26	16	2	9	3	12	2	203	33
West Ham United	2006–07	Premier League	14	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	16	1
	2007–08		27	0	1	0	4	0	0	0	32	0
	2008–09		27	0	3	0	2	0	0	0	32	0
	2009–10		1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
	2010–11		22	0	2	0	4	0	0	0	28	0
	Total		91	2	8	0	10	0	0	0	109	2
AEL	2011–12	Football League Greece	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Orlando Pirates	2011–12	Premier Soccer League	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Chesterfield	2012–13	League Two	12	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	13	0
Career total			357	47	32	3	29	8	16	3	435	61

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Portugal	2001	4	1
2002	2	0
2003	6	0
2004	7	0
2005	5	0
2006	2	0
2007	0	0
2008	0	0
2009	2	0
Total		28	1

Scores and results list Portugal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Boa Morte goal.

List of international goals scored by Luís Boa Morte<ref name="LuisBoaMorteGoalforPortugal">Template:Cite web</ref>

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	14 November 2001	Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal	Template:Fb	4–1	5–1	Friendly

Managerial record

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	Nat	From	To	Record					Template:Abbr
				Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip
Guinea-Bissau		2024	present	Template:Citation needed
Career total				—

Honours

Arsenal

• Premier League: 1997–98<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• FA Charity Shield: 1998,<ref name="cs98">Template:Cite news</ref> 1999<ref name="cs99">Template:Cite news</ref>

Fulham

• Football League First Division: 2000–01<ref name="lg01a" /><ref name="lg01b" />
• UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2002<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Orlando Pirates

• Premier Soccer League: 2011–12

Individual

• Fulham Player of the Year: 2004–05<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Orders

• Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Braganza)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

External links

• Template:Soccerbase
• Luis Boa Morte PortuGOAL profile
• Arsenal Photos and stats at sporting-heroes.net
• Fulham Photos and stats at sporting-heroes.net
• West Ham Photos and stats at sporting-heroes.net
• Profile