Manuel Fernandes (footballer born 1951)

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Manuel José Tavares Fernandes, simply known as Manuel Fernandes, (born June 6, 1951 in Sarilhos Pequenos (Moita), Portugal) is a former footballer turned manager and occasionally TV pundit.

As a player, he was one the best forwards in his position, and became a legend in Sporting, his childhood club, after he joined from CUF in 1975. He won two titles (1979/80 and 1981/82), two cups (1977/78 and 1981/82) and one supercup (1982/83), playing many memorable games for his side. Although he was the top scorer in the 1985/86 season with 30 goals, he was absent from the Mexico '86 tournament, marked by the Saltillo Affair. He was capped for the national team 31 times, scoring 9 goals. He retired in 1989, playing his last season for Vitória FC.

As a manager, his luck was different; returned to Sporting as assistant for Bobby Robson, but left as soon as the British manager did the same, following with seasons in Campomaiorense, CD Santa Clara (a club he turned into the first Azores team in the first division) before a short run in Sporting, where he won the Supercup. He later returned to Santa Clara, but remains more active as a TV pundit.