The topic had been on the agenda for some time and took on new contours. André Villas-Boas has not yet officially assumed that he will run for election to FC Porto in 2024, but this Thursday, on the sidelines of the QSP summit, in Exponor, in Matosinhos, he did not rule out the possibility of against Pinto da Costa in next April’s elections, a scenario he rejected in 2020 when he signed the candidacy booklet for the current president.
The 45-year-old coach, who never hid his great spirit, and who had a dream season coaching FC Porto in 2010-11, winning the championship, the Portuguese Cup, the Europa League and the Super Cup, admitted that the presidency is something that is meant for you.
He assured himself that he was “a man very bound by fate”, and recalled how this idea (of FC Porto’s presidency) came to him. “In 2015, in Russia [treinava o Zenit], I received a message from someone who works at FC Porto and said: “one day you will become president of FC Porto”. I never thought about it, but the way it changed my emotions… it felt like a destiny that I have to fulfill. The requirements to be president of FC Porto are unique, because of the responsibility of the person who built our portism [Pinto da Costa]. But it is something destined for me, and I rarely fail to fulfill my destiny.
When asked if he can move forward in 2024, he wasn’t sure, but he didn’t close the door either. “I have put my career on hold until June 2024 and I want to play an active role as a voting member. Whether as a candidate or not, I don’t know, I can’t answer. Whether I have the qualities or not, I say rather that others say. Fortunately, in this period of my involvement in sports management, I have found people who motivate me for certain things, including the presidency,” he emphasized.
the economic situation
The coach also left his thoughts on various topics that concern him in Porto’s daily life, related to the current management of the club. “The truth is that the economic situation of FC Porto is getting worse and worse. Football has this sporting success and financial success. What is success in football? The titles? It is the sustainability of FC Porto as a club of long-term employees? he wondered, commenting on the possibility that SAD risks closing this year’s accounts in the red.
“It’s something only the president and his board of directors can answer. They’ve certainly already thought about all the detrimental impact another financial bankruptcy could have on the sustainability of the club, not least because financial fair play is in question.” transformation the financial manager [Fernando Gomes] presented a scenario of a sales need, the president, according to what was seen in the media, had the opposite idea. Let’s see,” he added.
Villas-Boas also left a word on Sérgio Conceição, admitting that the coach extension should be a priority for the current management. “The first thing I would like to see resolved was the coach’s extension. He should have extended after the game with Inter Milan [da Champions], because he deserves it and would have avoided these dating scenarios because of the quality of work he has done. All Porto players would like to see an answer to the question of extension, why is it not happening? I liked feeling that comfort,” he reflected.
The coach also revealed when he left with Pinto de Costa: “We have had disagreements in the relationship, the result of a match I had between FC Porto and Marseille. [em 2020-21, na Liga dos Campeões]. And I have already told him the reason for this break in the relationship. For me it was playing at Dragão, empty, the partner of FC Porto and not the coach of Marseille. FC Porto’s partner who happened to be the coach of Marseille and happened to win four titles for FC Porto.”
Source: DN
