Boston Legacy FC Hires Benfica’s Filipa Patão as First Head Coach

Filipa Patão, after leading S.L. Benfica's women's team to five consecutive league titles and a historic UEFA Women's Champions League quarterfinals appearance, is set to become the first head coach of the NWSL expansion team Boston Legacy FC. Patão, who has been with Benfica since 2006 in various roles and was nominated for the Ballon d'Or Women's Coach of the Year award, is under contract with Benfica through 2027, and compensation to Benfica is expected as part of the agreement. Boston Legacy FC, which will begin play in the 2026 NWSL season at Gillette Stadium due to construction delays at their originally planned venue, will join the league alongside another expansion team in Denver, bringing the total to 16 teams. The club, managed by Domènec Guasch, has faced some off-field challenges including a controversial initial name and branding, but is moving forward with Patão's hiring confirmed by multiple sources. Patão's appointment reflects the club's ambition to build a competitive team with an experienced and highly regarded coach at the helm. Boston Legacy FC has not officially commented on the hiring, but the deal is widely reported and expected to be announced soon.