The Portuguese coach won his 11th title with Palmeiras by winning the São Paulo championship against Novorizontino. With the victory, Abel became the coach with the most titles in the club’s history, surpassing Oswaldo Brandão’s 10.
Portuguese Abel Ferreira isolated himself as the most titled coach in the history of Palmeiras on Sunday, by winning the 11th trophy for the Brazilian club in the final of the São Paulo state championship, against Novorizontino, in the second national tier.
Four days after the victory at home in Barueri (1-0), the ‘verdão’ triumphed in Novo Horizonte (2-1), prevailing 3-1 on aggregate over both legs.
O Brazilian runner-up Palmeiras is the second most titled club in Paulistão, now with 27 victories – five in the last seven years -, four behind the record holder Corinthians, and lifted trophies again almost two years later, breaking the biggest gap under the guidance of Abel, who was hired in October 2020.
The former coach of Sporting B, Sporting de Braga and Greek side PAOK Thessaloniki had already won the state championship three times in a row (2022, 2023 and 2024), bringing together three international and four national scepters, to beat the late Oswaldo Brandão’s record of 10 hits for ‘verdão’ and enrich a career devoid of titles before arriving in Brazil.
Along with Jorge Jesus and Artur Jorge, Abel Ferreira is one of the three Portuguese coaches who won the Copa Libertadoresby winning the finals of the 2020 and 2021 editions of the main South American club competition.
These two decisions were played five years ago, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Palmeiras defeating Santos (1-0) and Flamengo (2-1, after extra time), in Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo, respectively, due to crucial goals from substitute Breno Lopes, in the 90th + 9th minute, and from Deyverson, a former Benfica B and Belenenses striker, in the 95th minute.
The third South American title could have come in November 2025, but Flamengo prevailed in Lima (1-0) and became the country’s record holder for success in the Libertadores, days before becoming champion of Brazil.
Abel Ferreira surpassed Oswaldo Brandão
Abel, 47 years old, he also won a South American Super Cup at continental level, in 2022, by beating compatriots Athletico Paranaense in a round trip (2-2 draw away and 2-0 win at home).
Two national championships (2022 and 2023), a Brazilian Cup (2020) and a Super Cup (2023) complete the resume of the former right defender, who, in contrast, lost seven trophy decisions, including the 2021 Club World Cup final against English club Chelsea.
First Portuguese, 11th European and 26th foreigner to command PalmeirasAbel leads in international titles and surpassed Oswaldo Brandão in the number of scepterswho was also linked to ‘verdão’ as a player.
According to Palmeiras’ official accounts, in five spells at the club’s bench in the 20th century, the previous record holder celebrated three national championships (1960, 1972 and 1973) and four São Paulo championships (1947, 1959, 1972 and 1974), a Taça Cidade de São Paulo (1946), a Torneio Início Paulista (1946) and a Torneio Laudo Natel (1972).
Abel Ferreira had reached Oswaldo Brandão in April 2024 and supplanted it in the first decision of 2026, already after closing the last year without achievements, something that had never experienced in a season in Brazil, but did not compromise the contract renewal for another two years, until December 2027.
The top 5 of Palmeiras’ most titled coaches also includes Vanderlei Luxemburgo, the Penafidelense’s predecessor, with eight successes, Uruguayan Ventura Cambón, with seven, and Luiz Felipe Scolari, former Portuguese coach, with six.
Oswaldo (562) (one).
