SÉRGIO CRUZ
(Sérgio Fernando Bastos da Cruz)

Sérgio Cruz is also a trusted long-term associate of Paulo Sérgio and he re-joined his friend in August 2011, when the Portuguese coach took command of the Hearts squad.

Born on 16 June 1967 in Senhora da Hora, just to the north of Porto, Sérgio was a youth player with FC Porto, but in 1987, he made his breakthrough in the Campeonato Nacional 2 with Lusitânia FC of Lourosa, and then CF União de Lamas. He proved to be a tough and relentless ball-winner in the centre of defence, or in midfield, but inevitably, due to his feared aggression, Sérgio became well-known to Portuguese referees.

In 1990, Sérgio moved to FC Paços de Ferreira where he played 133 league games over four seasons. His rock-solid defending helped the club to win the Liga de Honra (Second Division) in 1990-91 and to move up to the Primeira Liga for the first time in its history. Paços de Ferreira lasted three seasons before falling back to the second level, but Sérgio continued to play Primeira football, after joining FC Gil Vicente in the summer of 1994.

Gil Vicente was relegated in 1996-97, but once again, his steely defending was required at the top level and Sérgio moved to Associação Académica de Coimbra. His new club was then relegated in 1998-99, but this time, Sérgio was happy to play in the Liga de Honra, as he was in course of gaining a college degree in physical education.

In 2000-01, Sérgio dropped down to the regional leagues with CF União de Coimbra, but he soon began to concentrate on the players' physical preparation. In this regard, he worked with CF Moreirense and then SC Leixões, whom he helped to win promotion from the Liga de Honra in 2006-07. The following season, Sérgio was with União Desportivo de Leiria and then in 2008, he teamed up with Paulo Sergio and Alberto Cabral at the Primeira Liga club, FC Paços de Ferreira. His new club reached the Portuguese Cup Final in May 2009 and then in October that year, the management team moved to Vitória SC de Guimarães.

The trio joined Sporting Clube de Portugal in July 2010 and although a disappointing spell with that famous club ended in February 2011, Sérgio was delighted to rejoin his colleagues in August and bring his physical training expertise to Tynecastle.