Tomás Tengarrinha, 34, recently the coach of SF Damaiense in Portugal’s women’s league, has been appointed as the head coach for Brooklyn FC as they prepare for their second season in the USL Super League.
After finishing 10-9-9 in their inaugural season, Brooklyn FC decided to part ways with Jessica Silva and bring in Tengarrinha, who has experience leading SC Braga to third place in the 2023-2024 season.
He mentioned to the Post that accepting this position wasn’t tough at all. The city is “special,” the league is still finding its foothold alongside the NWSL, and the club has clear “ambitions.”
“I’ve had quite a few jobs before this, so I don’t think of myself as a conventional coach,” Tengarrinha shared. “I’ve experienced a lot, and it’s given me the chance to be more authentic and sincere with the players. From my start seven or eight years ago, I’ve been fortunate enough to find success at all my previous clubs, so I consider myself lucky.”
Though he had chances to coach abroad earlier, Tengarrinha felt it wasn’t the right moment. His career in coaching was still budding. Until his mid-twenties, he held various jobs unrelated to soccer, even though he played at an amateur level—his father had also been a professional in the sport.
He even explored modeling in fashion, helped out in his family’s restaurant, and worked at a travel agency.
Ultimately, an ex-girlfriend nudged him to consider coaching, believing he had the necessary traits and passion. So, he began an internship which led him to a paid coaching position. At one point, he transitioned from coaching men’s soccer to women’s, thinking it was the way forward.
“I thought, ‘You might be mistaken,'” Tengarrinha recounted. “And, well, here I am.”
He never envisioned this opportunity, but now he is poised to lead a Brooklyn team looking to dominate the game. His vision combines strong ball control with solid defensive strategies—a style honed during his playing years and through various life experiences away from the game.
“Modeling allowed me to learn about different cultures, people, and perspectives,” Tengarrinha noted. “That experience has really enriched my understanding of the game and people.”
“And we must always remember, we’re working with people here.”
