Portugal
About Gonçalo
Gonçalo Ferreira took charge of Dragoons FC in the summer of 2025, stepping in following the departure of Hugo Cruz. He immediately brought a clear footballing philosophy, strong tactical foundations, and a deep commitment to player development, qualities that aligned perfectly with the direction of the club.
Born in Switzerland and raised between there and Portugal, Gonçalo later spent time in Denmark, where he honed his coaching skills further before settling in Poland. This international background gave him a broad cultural perspective and the ability to connect naturally with players from diverse backgrounds, making him an ideal fit for the Dragoons’ multinational squad.
Ferreira’s coaching philosophy centres on communication, trust, and empowerment. He follows a democratic, player-focused approach where shared decision-making fosters unity, resilience, and accountability. His goal is not only to shape better footballers but also better teammates.
On the pitch, Gonçalo favours a possession-based, flexible system. His sides build from the back, rotate fluidly in attack, and press aggressively in the right moments. The style demands intelligence and adaptability, instilling a collective mindset that requires every player to contribute with and without the ball.
Gonçalo’s footballing journey spans over 17 years as a player, with experience at clubs such as FC Baden in Switzerland and C.F. Os Vilanovenses in Portugal. After hanging up his boots, he moved into coaching, most notably leading CBS Sport Copenhagen between 2022 and 2024. There, he built a disciplined and tactically sound team, earning a reputation for organisation, spirit, and attention to detail.
The Portuguese brings that same vision and work ethic to the Dragoons. With his guidance, the club has begun to look forward to building a stronger identity, competing with purpose, and continuing to grow both on and off the pitch.
Under his guidance, the club reached the 4th round of the Puchar Polski for the first time in their history before falling to a 1-3 defeat against 5.Liga opposition – two leagues higher than the Expats.
The Expats started their league campaign in style with a 5-2 victory over Zwierzyniecki, with his philosophy of how to play evident in only a short while.
