Who is César Peixoto? Background, achievements, style of play & tactics

It's all change at Molineux following Rob Edwards' unexpected sacking and Wolves are poised to replace him with Gil Vicente manager César Peixoto.

Despite being instrumental in the club's planning for their return to the Championship and heavily involved in the signings of Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez, Edwards was reportedly stunned after being informed his tenure was over after seven months.

The former Luton Town and Middlesbrough had recently attended a fans' forum where he outlined his ambitions for the forthcoming campaign and was set for talks with technical director Matt Jackson regarding potential signings.

With Edwards gone, Peixoto is set to be named his successor.

The 46-year-old is represented by the Gestifute agency, fronted by Jorge Mendes, the agent who has a long-standing link with Wolves owners Fosun.

Find out all you need to know about Peixoto below.

Background & achievements

A member of Porto's UEFA Champions League winning squad in 2004, Peixoto spent five years at the Estádio do Dragão as a player before spells at Braga, Benfica and finally Gil Vicente, where he hung up his boots after being sacked by the club.

Peixoto subsequently ventured into coaching and earned his first managerial role with Varzim SC in the LigaPro, the second tier of Portuguese football.

He steered Varzim clear of relegation and three months after his appointment, moved to Académica de Coimbra, where he lasted just five months.

Peixoto next assumed control at Chaves in the LigaPro and approaching his year anniversary, he joined Moreirense in the Primeira Liga on a short-term contract, but lasted just six league matches.

Peixoto then moved to Paços de Ferreira in December 2021, leading them to a mid-table finish in the Portuguese top-flight. The subsequent season started disastrously and he was sacked, but returned to the club two months later following the resignation of his successor. He was unable to prevent Paços de Ferreira's relegation.

After a year out of the managerial circle, Peixoto returned to Moreirense and lasted considerably longer than his first stint, but was sacked seven months after his appointment following a run of one win in 12.

Peixoto then reunited with Gil Vicente in March 2025 and preserved their Primeira Liga status, resulting in a contract extension. Peixoto then led the club to sixth in the 2025/26 campaign with 50 points, their second-highest finish in Portugal's top division.

Honours

Gil Vicente

• Primeira Liga Manager of the Month: September/October 2025

Tactics & style of play

Despite the nomadic start to his managerial career, Peixoto has emerged as a highly-rated coach during his fruitful stint with Gil Vicente.

Peixoto, who was in contention to replace Jose Mourinho at Benfica before Marco Silva was named the club's new manager, is an attack-minded coach whose presence has transformed Gil Vicente from relegation candidates to a team on the periphery of European qualification.

Predominantly using a 4-2-3-1 formation, Peixoto's style is direct and with the aim of hurting teams with quick transitions.

The former Porto winger likes to have a physical presence as his lone striker, which should suit Jimenez perfectly following his return to Molineux from Fulham. The target man is utilised consistently as an outlet to move the team forward, and wingers are encouraged to carry the ball at speed and take on defenders.

Forward players will be asked to press high, while defenders will be expected to play out from the back.

From a defensive perspective, Peixoto's Gil Vicente played a high line but were compact and organised. Even against the might of Porto and Benfica, he refrained from adopting a conservative approach and insisted on attempting to play their fluid style, which sometimes yielded positive results - they held Sporting CP and beat Braga last season.