Club Career
Born in São Vicente, Cape Verde, Oceano's family emigrated to Portugal when he was a child. He started his career at Almada Atlético Clube and, after a spell with then relatively unknown C.D. Nacional, moved to country giants Sporting Clube de Portugal for the 1984–85 season.
At the Lisbon outfit Oceano was an undisputed starter during his stay, which consisted at first of seven seasons. In 1991 he moved, alongside compatriot and teammate Carlos Xavier, to Spain's Real Sociedad, where the pair was equally influential, having been reunited with former Sporting boss John Toshack.
In 1994 both Oceano and Xavier returned to the Lions, and the former continued to perform at a consistent level until the end 1997–98, when he was almost 36; his Sporting trophies consisted, however, of a single Portuguese Cup, in 1995. He wrapped up his career in 1999, after a stint in France with Toulouse FC.
After retiring, Oceano worked as a color commentator for several TV networks. In early March 2011 he returned to his main club Sporting, joining newly-appointed José Couceiro's coaching staff; exactly one year after, he moved, in the same capacity, to União de Leiria, under another old Sporting acquaintance, José Dominguez.
Oceano started the 2012–13 season in charge of Sporting's reserves, in the second division. On 4 October 2012, however, following Ricardo Sá Pinto's dismissal, he was named caretaker manager of the first team.
Oceano's tenure as head coach of Sporting first consisted of three away games and losses – against F.C. Porto in the league (0–2), against Moreirense F.C. for the season's domestic cup (2–3) and at K.R.C. Genk for the UEFA Europa League group stage (1–2)– and his spell ended on 29 October 2012 with a 0–0 home draw against Académica de Coimbra for the domestic championship.
Read more about this topic: Oceano Da Cruz
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