André Albino Carvalho da Cunha (born 16 February 1978) is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is the assistant manager of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Cruzeiro.
Playing career Born in Cambeses, Barcelos, Cunha represented three clubs as a youth, including S.C. Braga from 1989 to 1992. During two of his formative years, he took a break from association football and played futsal, already as a senior.André Cunha: dos Distritais à Liga (André Cunha: from the regionals to the top) ; A Bola, 18 July 2011 (in Portuguese)
Cunha competed in amateur football until the age of 23. In the 2001–02 season he joined F.C. Famalicão of the third division and, from then onwards, rarely settled with a team, alternating between the third tier and the Segunda Liga.II Liga: 11 reforços na apresentação do Sp. Covilhã (II League: 11 additions in Sp. Covilhã's presentation); TVI 24, 15 July 2002 (in Portuguese)
In mid-January 2010, Cunha signed for second-division Gil Vicente F.C. from F.C. Vizela in the league immediately below. In his first full season, he contributed 25 games (23 starts, 2,035 minutes, two goals) as they returned to the Primeira Liga after a five-year absence.Gil Vicente festejou título da Liga de Honra e subida à I Liga (Gil Vicente celebrated Honour League title and promotion to I League); SIC Notícias, 30 May 2011 (in Portuguese)
Cunha made his debut in the Portuguese top flight on 12 August 2011 – at the age of 33 years, five months and 27 days – playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–2 home draw against S.L. Benfica.Gil Vicente 2–2 Benfica ; PortuGOAL, 12 August 2011 On 29 January of the following year, he scored his second goal of the campaign in the 3–1 home win over FC Porto.Gil Vicente shock Porto ; PortuGOAL, 29 January 2012
Coaching career After retiring, Cunha was the head coach of Merelinense F.C.Merelinense: André Cunha é o novo treinador (Merelinense: André Cunha is the new manager); Record, 21 September 2017 (in Portuguese) and Vilaverdense FC.André Cunha é o novo treinador do Vilaverdense (André Cunha is the new manager of Vilaverdense); O Vilaverdense, 18 June 2018 (in Portuguese) Subsequently, he was part of Artur Jorge's staff at several clubs, including Brazil's Botafogo FR and Cruzeiro EC.Conheça a comissão técnica que chega ao Botafogo com Artur Jorge (Meet the coaching staff that arrives to Botafogo with Artur Jorge); Globo Esporte, 5 April 2024 (in Portuguese)Conheça a comissão técnica de Artur Jorge no Cruzeiro (Meet Artur Jorge's coaching staff at Cruzeiro); Rádio Itatiaia, 23 March 2026 (in Portuguese)
References
External links