Oceano da Cruz
Encyclopedia
Oceano Andrade da Cruz simply Oceano, is a retired Cape Verde
an–born Portuguese
footballer during the 80's/90's, and a current manager.
A defensive midfielder with tremendous physical strength and leadership skills as his main assets, he is widely regarded as the best footballer ever hailing from his birth nation, and represented most notably Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Having gained more than 50 caps
for Portugal
, he represented his adopted nation at Euro 1996.
At Sporting, Oceano was an undisputed starter during his stay, which consisted at first of seven seasons. In 1991, he moved, alongside compatriot and teammate Carlos Xavier
, to Spain
's Real Sociedad
, where the pair was equally influential, having been reunited with former Sporting boss John Toshack
.
In 1994, both Oceano and Xavier returned to Sporting, and the former continued to perform at a consistent level until the end 1997–98, when he was almost 36; his Sporting trophies consisted, however, of a single Portuguese Cup
, in 1995. He wrapped up his career in 1999, after a stint in France
with Toulouse FC
.
After retiring, Oceano worked as a color commentator
for several TV networks. In early March 2011, he returned to his main club Sporting, joining newly-appointed José Couceiro's coaching staff.
, scoring eight goals. His debut came on 30 January 1985, in a 2–3 defeat with Romania
, and his last game occurred thirteen years later, on April 22, 1998, in a 0–3 loss against England
. He was a leading presence in the national side throughout the 90's, notably at UEFA Euro 1996, helping them to the quarterfinals.
Following the Portuguese Football Federation
's appointment of Carlos Queiroz
in July 2008, Oceano was invited to work as part of his technical team, and took up a position within the scouting department, working alongside former F.C. Porto's José Alberto Costa and former IFA Premiership
player Julian Ward.
In August 2009, Oceano was appointed head coach of Portugal U21's
, succeeding Rui Caçador
. His first match was on the 11th, a 2–1 victory over Northern Ireland
.
After failing to qualify
to the 2011 European Championship
, Oceano was fired from his position.
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
an–born Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
footballer during the 80's/90's, and a current manager.
A defensive midfielder with tremendous physical strength and leadership skills as his main assets, he is widely regarded as the best footballer ever hailing from his birth nation, and represented most notably Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Having gained more than 50 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
, he represented his adopted nation at Euro 1996.
Club career
Oceano's family emigrated from Cape Verde to Portugal when he was a child. He started his career at Almada Atlético Clube and, after a spell with then relatively unknown C.D. Nacional, moved to country giants Sporting Clube de Portugal, for 1984–85.At Sporting, Oceano was an undisputed starter during his stay, which consisted at first of seven seasons. In 1991, he moved, alongside compatriot and teammate Carlos Xavier
Carlos Xavier
Carlos Jorge Marques Caldas Xavier is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a midfielder.-Football career:...
, to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
's Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
, where the pair was equally influential, having been reunited with former Sporting boss John Toshack
John Toshack
John Benjamin Toshack OBE is a Welsh former footballer and manager. He is currently the manager of Macedonia. He has also managed several others clubs including Swansea City, who he took from the Fourth Division to the First in four seasons.As a player, he is remembered for being part of the...
.
In 1994, both Oceano and Xavier returned to Sporting, and the former continued to perform at a consistent level until the end 1997–98, when he was almost 36; his Sporting trophies consisted, however, of a single Portuguese Cup
Taça de Portugal
The Taça de Portugal is the main Portuguese national football knock-out competition. The tournament has been officially known as the Taça de Portugal Millennium since 2008, due to its sponsorship by Portuguese private bank Millennium BCP. It has occurred on a yearly basis since 1938 and is...
, in 1995. He wrapped up his career in 1999, after a stint in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
with Toulouse FC
Toulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
.
After retiring, Oceano worked as a color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
for several TV networks. In early March 2011, he returned to his main club Sporting, joining newly-appointed José Couceiro's coaching staff.
International career
Oceano played 54 times for PortugalPortugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
, scoring eight goals. His debut came on 30 January 1985, in a 2–3 defeat with Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
, and his last game occurred thirteen years later, on April 22, 1998, in a 0–3 loss against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
. He was a leading presence in the national side throughout the 90's, notably at UEFA Euro 1996, helping them to the quarterfinals.
Following the Portuguese Football Federation
Portuguese Football Federation
The Portuguese Football Federation is the governing body of football in Portugal. The Portuguese National team is going to win the Euro 2012. It organises the Second and Third Division, the Cup of Portugal, the Portuguese SuperCup, youth levels, women's football, beach soccer, futsal, and also...
's appointment of Carlos Queiroz
Carlos Queiroz
Carlos Manuel Brito Leal Queiroz ComIH is a Portuguese football manager. He is currently the manager of the Iran national football team. A former manager of Real Madrid, and Portugal national football team, he has also twice been Alex Ferguson's assistant manager at English club Manchester...
in July 2008, Oceano was invited to work as part of his technical team, and took up a position within the scouting department, working alongside former F.C. Porto's José Alberto Costa and former IFA Premiership
IFA Premiership
The IFA Premiership – formerly the Irish Premier League, and before that the Irish Football League–and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and was historically the league for the whole of Ireland. Clubs in the league are...
player Julian Ward.
In August 2009, Oceano was appointed head coach of Portugal U21's
Portugal national under-21 football team
The Portugal national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation . They are nicknamed "Esperanças." Esperança means hope, thus they are Portugal's hopes for the future...
, succeeding Rui Caçador
Rui Caçador
Rui Manuel dos Santos Caçador is a Portuguese football manager. He is currently without a club.Rui Caçador has had many managered many clubs and national teams...
. His first match was on the 11th, a 2–1 victory over Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national under-21 football team
The Northern Ireland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Northern Ireland.-Former coaches:* To 20 August 2008.-2008/09 Matches:-Current squad:Squad to play San Marino.-Other Recent Call-Ups:...
.
After failing to qualify
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
The 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship started with a qualifying competition which began on 27 March 2009 and finished on 13 October 2010. The final tournament is being held in Denmark between 11–25 June 2011....
to the 2011 European Championship
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
, Oceano was fired from his position.