Born in Marco de Canaveses, Porto District, Leal only played amateur football, retiring in 1998 after a three-year spell with Sport Clube Salvadorense.
[2] He led them to the ninth position in his first year, achieving promotion to the Primeira Liga in the following after a third-place finish as the runners-up FC Porto B were not eligible;[3] following this success, he was voted coach of the season.
[7] He was relieved of his duties early into the following season,[8] but found accommodation two days after being fired by joining second tier side F.C.
[9] Leal left Arouca on 26 September 2018, after four consecutive losses put the team in last place at the start of the season.
[16] In July 2023, having been unemployed for two years, Leal was appointed head coach of Al-Tadamon SC in the Kuwaiti Division One.
[17] On 2 February 2024, his side reached the semi-finals of the Emir Cup after ousting holders Kuwait SC on penalties.