The Rollercoaster Ride of Paços de Ferreira: From European Nights to a Fight for Survival
The final whistle of the 2024/25 season blew at the Estádio Capital do Móvel, with Paços de Ferreira securing their place in the Liga 2 after a playoff battle against Belenenses. This outcome followed a season of instability for the club, a far cry from the glory days of the past.
A Look Back: When Paços Ferreira Aimed High
For a club not known for its massive stature, Paços de Ferreira has a history that includes a third-place finish in the Primeira Liga and appearances in European competitions. The 2012/13 season, under the guidance of coach Paulo Fonseca, was a particularly memorable one, finishing third in the league.
Filipe Anunciação, a former player and a symbol of Paços de Ferreira, remembers that incredible season. In an interview with zerozero, he reflected on the club’s golden era and the current state of the team.
“We had a very united group, a very hard-working group. It wasn’t just the coaching staff, nor just the players, it was the whole staff, the whole management. Everyone was focused on making things go really well,” he shared.
He added, “We didn’t think about reaching third place, so we had a good season, with quality and things unfolded, until we reached a point where we believed it was possible. We fought and we succeeded.”
That season showed everyone in the Portuguese football world that Paços could compete, not just at the domestic level, but also on the European stage.
The European Dream and the Harsh Reality of the Following Season
The subsequent season (2013/14) saw the club’s European dream confront a tough reality. The glory of the previous season seemed distant. The team faced Zenit in the Champions League playoff, losing both legs and being relegated to the Europa League group stage.
Paços de Ferreira also struggled in the league. With three different coaches, they finished in a worrying 15th place, necessitating a relegation playoff. The team managed to maintain its place in the top flight but the cracks were appearing.
@Catarina Morais
These experiences, according to Anunciação, helped the club evolve, allowing them to grow as players and as people.
A Period of Ups and Downs: The Years That Followed
Between 2014 and 2017, Paços de Ferreira experienced a period of relative stability, always finishing mid-table. However, the club faced a harsh reality again in the 2017/18 season, getting relegated to the II Liga. They bounced back immediately, winning the II division championship and returning to the top flight.
The 2020/21 season brought some positive moments under coach Pepa, with the team finishing in 5th place, securing a spot in the Conference League preliminary round. The resilient spirit seemed to have returned.
@Catarina Morais / Kapta +
In the Conference League, Paços reached for the stars again. They eliminated Larne and faced Tottenham Hotspur. They managed a 1-0 victory at home, but Tottenham won the second leg, ending Paços’s European dream once more.
Recent Struggles and the Fight for Survival
The 2022/23 season was difficult, with the team finishing in 17th place and being relegated to Liga 2. The most recent season (2024/25) was perhaps the most unstable in the club’s recent history. With several coaching changes and squad adjustments, the team had to fight in the playoff to stay in Liga 2. The match was a battle against Belenenses, and Paços managed to secure their survival.
“These are moments the club wasn’t used to, was used to another type of pressure, a more positive pressure, and this negative pressure, this pressure to fight not to be relegated is in fact the worst thing we can find in football,” said Anunciação.
The club also faced changes in leadership, with Rui Miguel Abreu taking over from Paulo Meneses. Additionally, the club was looking for an investment partnership with Celta de Vigo and Independiente del Valle, but this potential deal never happened. In the end, the club had to contend with poor results and other significant challenges.
“Sometimes decisions are made thinking that they are the best, with the certainty that it will be the best for the club, but unfortunately, for some reason things don’t go as we wish. I am sure that those who went through this did everything to make things go better,” commented Filipe Anunciação.
What Does the Future Hold for Paços de Ferreira?
Filipe Anunciação, when asked about the club’s future, said, “Reaching the top takes a lot of work and takes a lot of time, so there is no other way but to work. I am sure that the club has ambitions to return to the I Liga and I am sure it will succeed. It will be a matter of time for the club to return to the I Liga and achieve beautiful things.”
The club now balances historic memories with a more fragile present, from games against Tottenham and Zenit to matches fighting for survival in professional football. The yellow and green faithful hope for brighter days ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Paços de Ferreira’s highest league finish?
Paços de Ferreira finished third in the Primeira Liga in the 2012/13 season.
Who was the coach during Paços de Ferreira’s successful 2012/13 season?
Paulo Fonseca was the coach during the 2012/13 season.
Where does Filipe Anunciação currently work?
Filipe Anunciação is not currently tied to a club.
Your Turn
What are your favorite memories of Paços de Ferreira? Share your thoughts in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you.