Born in Felgueiras, Soares' professional input as a player consisted of seven Segunda Liga games for his hometown club F.C. Felgueiras, over three seasons in as many spells. He amassed third division totals of 232 matches and 28 goals during his 12-year senior career, representing seven teams in the competition.[1]
Coaching career
Early years, Vizela and Chaves
Soares started working as a manager in 2005 at the age of 30, with amateur side Clube Caçadores das Taipas.[1] Having signed with F.C. Vizela in the summer of 2014, he achieved promotion to the second level at the end of the 2015–16 campaign.[2][3]
In May 2017, Soares moved to another top-flight club, C.D. Aves on a two-year deal.[7] He left on 2 October, with the team in last place on six points from eight matches.[8]
Soares returned to the second tier on 14 November 2017, succeeding Ivo Vieira at Académica de Coimbra.[9] He left by mutual accord the following 1 April having won half of his 18 fixtures, and as the side was placed fifth and four points off a promotion place.[10]
In June 2022, Soares moved abroad for the first time in his career, paying €250,000 to release himself from his Gil Vicente contract ahead of a two-year deal at Egypt's Al Ahly SC. His new annual salary was €1.5 million.[16] On his debut on 2 July, the team won 2–0 at home to Petrojet SC in the semi-finals of the national cup;[17] his Premier League bow was a goalless draw at El Gouna FC three days later.[18]
Soares returned to Portugal and its main division on 28 February 2023, on a one-and-a-half-year contract at Estoril.[21] He terminated his deal one year early, having concluded the season with the team raised one place to 14th position.[22]
Beijing Guoan
On 15 June 2023, Soares was appointed as the new head coach of Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan FC.[23] He left on 10 December 2024, having achieved 30 wins, 11 draws and 13 losses in his 54 games in charge.[24]
^ abDumas, Paulo (20 November 2005). "Ricardo Soares é o novo treinador do Taipas" [Ricardo Soares is the new manager of Taipas] (in Portuguese). Reflexo Digital. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
^Jieshen, Lei (15 June 2023). "官方:葡萄牙籍教练里卡多-苏亚雷斯执教北京国安" [Official: Portugal's Ricardo Soares to manage Beijing Guoan] (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
^"官方:苏亚雷斯不再担任北京国安队主教练一职" [Beijing Guoan official: team manager Ricardo Soares resigns] (in Chinese). Dongqiudi. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.