F.C. Arouca

Futebol Clube de Arouca is a professional football club based in Arouca, a town and a municipality in the Metropolitan Area of Porto, in the Norte Region of Portugal and in the Aveiro District. Founded in 1951, the club plays in the Primeira Liga, holding home games at Estádio Municipal de Arouca, with a 5,000-seat capacity.

History
Founded on 25 December 1951, as a FC Porto subsidiary, Arouca spent the first five decades of its existence in the Aveiro regional leagues. In only two years (2006–08) it managed to reach the third division, being managed by television (RTP) presenter Jorge Gabriel for a few months during that timeframe.

Arouca managed its fourth promotion in only seven years at the end of 2012–13, reaching the Primeira Liga for the first time in its history. Subsequently, the Arouca Municipality awarded the club the Medal of Gold Merit for its achievement, with the organization also being granted extra financial means to renovate and expand its stadium.

In 2015–16 under Lito Vidigal, Arouca finished a best-ever fifth place, qualifying for the first time to the UEFA Europa League. After beating Heracles Almelo of the Netherlands on the away goals rule, they lost the play-off 3–1 after extra time to Olympiacos of Greece. A year after their peak finish, Arouca were relegated, ending their four years at the top.

A two-year spell in the second division for Arouca ended in May 2019 when on the last day of the season, they lost to U.D. Oliveirense and Varzim S.C. defeated Académica de Coimbra; this ended nine years in the professional leagues. The 2019–20 season was truncated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Arouca and Vizela were due to be promoted because of their final position; competitors Olhanense successfully appealed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport for these promotions to be suspended.

Managerial history

 * Acácio Figueiredo (2000–2001)
 * Francisco Batista (2001–2002)
 * Artur Quaresma (2003 – June 2004)
 * Vasco Coelho (1 July 2004 – 1 November 2004)
 * Rui Correia (1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007)
 * Jorge Gabriel (1 July 2007 – 4 February 2008)
 * José Pedro (4 February 2008 – 30 June 2009)
 * Carlos Secretário (1 July 2009 – 7 December 2009)
 * Henrique Nunes (9 December 2009 – 20 September 2011)
 * Vítor Oliveira (21 September 2011 – 30 June 2013)
 * Pedro Emanuel (1 July 2013 – 25 May 2015)
 * Lito Vidigal (1 July 2015 – 11 February 2017)
 * Manuel Machado (11 February 2017 – 21 March 2017)
 * Jorge Leitão (22 March 2017 – 30 June 2017)
 * Jorge Costa (1 July 2017 – 14 September 2017)
 * Miguel Leal (15 September 2017 – 26 September 2018)
 * Quim Machado (27 September 2018 – 30 June 2019)
 * Henrique Nunes (1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020)
 * Armando Evangelista (1 July 2020 – 11 June 2023)
 * Daniel Ramos (1 July 2023 – 15 November 2023)
 * Daniel Sousa (15 November 2023 – 19 May 2024)
 * 🇺🇾 Gonzalo García (21 May 2024 – present)

Honours

 * Segunda Divisão
 * 2009–10
 * Terceira Divisão
 * 2007–08
 * Aveiro Regional League
 * 2006–07, 2002–03

Seasons
Last updated: 10 November 2023

European record

 * Notes
 * 3Q: Third qualifying round
 * PO: Play-off