Armando Gonçalves TeixeiraOIH, known as Petit, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, and the manager of Belenenses SAD. He received the moniker Petit because of his small frame, and also because he was born in France. He also became known as Pitbull by supporters because of his fierce approach, in addition to a powerful outside shot. After helping Boavista win their first and only Primeira Liga championship, he went on to amass more than 200 official appearances for Benfica, winning another three major titles. He also spent several seasons in Germany with 1. FC Köln, but his later years were marred by injury problems. A Portugal international during the 2000s, Petit represented the nation in two World Cups – finishing fourth in the 2006 edition – and as many European Championships. He started working as a manager in 2012, with Boavista.
Playing career
Club
Early years / Boavista
Petit was born to Portuguese parents in Strasbourg, France, moving to his parents' motherland still as an infant. After four years with modest clubs, he first established himself at the Primeira Liga with Gil Vicente F.C. where he was a key player, helping the Barcelos team to their best ever first division finish. Petit left for Boavista F.C. after one season, being instrumental in the side's only league conquest and going on to have his first experience in the UEFA Champions League. He made his debut in the latter competition on 11 September 2001, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 group stage away draw against Liverpool.
Benfica
In the summer of 2002, Petit moved to S.L. Benfica, being an instant first-choice. In his third year, he scored twice in 29 games as the club ended an 11-year drought and won the national championship. After impressive showings in the team's 2005–06 Champions League campaign, which ended at the hands of eventual champions FC Barcelona in the quarter-finals, Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais were linked with Petit, whom eventually renewed his contract a further two years.
FC Köln
On 29 July 2008, Petit signed for newly promoted 1. FC Köln in Germany. He netted his first goal with his new club on 7 August, against SV Niederauerbach in the season's domestic cup. On 1 November he scored his first in the Bundesliga, a 90th-minute effort against VfB Stuttgart in a 3–1 triumph, ending his debut season with 31 matches out of 34 as the team easily maintained its status. 35-year-old Petit missed the entire 2011–12 due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and Köln were also relegated. In August 2012 he returned to Boavista, with the club now in the third division.
In October 2012, Petit was appointed player-coach of Boavista. He became a full-time manager in the following season. For administrative reasons, the club returned to the top flight in 2014. On 9 December 2015, after leaving the hotseat at the Estádio do Bessa for personal motives, he was appointed at C.D. Tondela for their first top division campaign, being one of three coaches in charge as the team avoided relegation in the last matchday. Subsequently, Petit signed a new deal to last until 2018, but left on 8 January 2017 after a 1–2 home loss to F.C. Arouca. That March he was hired at Moreirense F.C. with the goal of keeping them in the top level, and left two months later by mutual consent when that was achieved. On 23 October 2017, F.C. Paços de Ferreira hired Petit in an attempt to preserve their place in the top tier, and he left by his own accord the following January. He returned to Moreirense in February as their third manager of the season, and left again after keeping them in the top flight. Petit was appointed manager of C.S. Marítimo on 27 November 2018, on a contract lasting until the end of the campaign. He left the Madeiran club at its conclusion, as it did not exercise the option of another year. On 15 January 2020, Petit was hired by his sixth Portuguese top-division club, becoming the third coach of Belenenses SAD's campaign as the team was one point above the relegation zone.
