He played most of his career with Benfica, for which he appeared in 369 competitive matches and scored 174 goals, winning 13 titles including eight Primeira Liga championships and two European Cups.

Benfica, going on to be part of the club's legendary attacking unit that also included Mário Coluna, Eusébio, António Simões and José Torres.

[3] He and his teammates won two European Cups, in 1961 and 1962, and still reached a further three finals in the decade; in the 1960–61 domestic league season he scored a career-best 24 goals in only 25 games, helping the side to the title.

[4] José Augusto retired early into the 1969–70 campaign at the age of 32, immediately being named Benfica's head coach and leading them to the second position behind Sporting CP.

[4] In 1994–95, in what was his first experience abroad, José Augusto was one of five managers in charge of CD Logroñés, as the side was relegated from La Liga with an all-time low 13 points.