After retiring, Pedroto embarked in a coaching career which lasted 22 years (always in the Portuguese top division), going on to become one of Porto's most successful managers.
[2][3] In February 1950, he scored two of his 12 goals for the season in home wins against FC Porto (3–1) and Sporting CP (2–0), as the Primeira Liga title was eventually awarded to S.L.
[2] Pedroto won the national championship twice during his spell at the Estádio das Antas, under Dorival Yustrich and Béla Guttmann.
[4] After starting his career with Porto juniors, he was appointed field coach for the Portugal under-18 team by manager David Sequerra as they won the 1961 UEFA European Championship, the country's first international title.
He then spent one season apiece with Leixões S.C. and Varzim SC, being dismissed by the former midway through 1964–65 which marked the only occasion in his career where he was relieved of his duties; subsequently, he returned to Porto as an assistant.
His sides excelled in ball possession and attacking football,[12] and he was also one of the first managers to introduce a team physician; he was accused by fellow coach Mário Wilson of being a "master of conflict" and for having attitudes that "bordered on racism", with the pair being often involved in wars of words.