[1][2][3][4][5] Born in Matosinhos, Oliveira's senior career spanned 13 seasons, ten of which were spent in the Primeira Liga where he appeared in a total of 218 games, scoring 17 goals; he represented Leixões SC, F.C.
In his last year as a professional, he played 23 matches (one goal) for the latter team as they finished fifth and qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first and only time in their history.
After three full seasons in the top flight with Gil Vicente FC, Oliveira coached several clubs in the first and second divisions, promoting from the latter tier with U.D.
Early into 2007–08 he replaced fired Paulo Duarte at the helm of Leiria,[9][10] but only managed to lead his team to three wins in his 21 games (14 losses) as the season ended in top-division relegation.
[12] After doing so as champions – his fifth consecutive promotion – he decided to remain in the Algarve;[13] having taken the team to tenth place on their return to the top flight, he left the Estádio Municipal de Portimão in May 2018.
[15] In May 2019, having sealed his eleventh promotion and sixth as champion, he left for yet another former employer Gil Vicente – who had been restored to the top tier in a court decision.