In an interview with Expresso, André Villas-Boas makes it clear that he will even continue with a candidacy against Pinto da Costa in the elections for the presidency of FC Porto in 2024. The former coach also leaves fierce criticism of the club management.
Here are some of the most notable answers from the interview:
“My path so far has been one of preparation, which could put me in the position of being a candidate in the next elections, or not. The whole construction of what will be the future life of the club must take place with solid, well thought out, structured steps, with accuracy. These are the questions that dictate the presentation of a candidacy for the next or subsequent elections in 2028. I cannot deny that I have dates in mind, prepared teams, ideas, people and projects. I have never hidden it. What I still have to decide. These are the timings and they must comply with the respect for the FC Porto sports season. I have this ambition, I have never hidden it. I have the greatest respect for the president, Jorge. Nuno Pinto da Costa, and I must be ready to replace him at height if the partners want it.”
“What is happening at FC Porto and what I think has led to saturation of the people: there is a great disparity between sporting success and financial imbalance and this specifically corresponds to the management of the organization. FC Porto has not only incurred absurd expenses in terms of the salary bill, but also in external services, in committees, in administration. There are a number of savings that are clear and easy to achieve, and there is a desire to realize them. And I don’t think that in the case of this government. But I tell you honestly: what shocks me most is the frivolous, good-natured and arrogant way in which the accounts for EUR 50 million of losses are presented. This is serious and I think it is current saturation leads because this is not possible. It is so easy and so fun to present stories this way. And that is what leads to people’s uprising and a desire for change.”
“FC Porto has absurd obligations and what is clear is that the operating models that have been in place for the last ten, twelve years are not working because they have brought the club to a point of no return. I think that is what remains.” members each becoming more and more worn out.”
“It is very strange, in a relationship as loving as the one that Sérgio has with FC Porto and that the president has with his coach, that there is not yet room for innovation. It would have been a great sense of opportunity to innovate after the match with Inter, not only because of what it represents for us Porto fans, because of its success, but also because of the feeling of opportunity, as that is when we are the most isolated and sad that a friendly hug and confidence in working towards the future. It is a question that should be asked to the president of FC Porto and the coach. I do not know the intentions of the president and the coach because they do not talk about the subject and it is taboo I am sorry that this is the case is because Sérgio is not only technically very skilled, but also conveys the values of FC Porto in a unique way.”
‘For the moments we lived together [com Pinto da Costa], I see with some surprise certain personality attacks that I think are unjustifiable and I think they will not be a reflection of how he really feels about me. I don’t think he needs to insult his opponents, his pedestal is so high and everything he has achieved in football at FC Porto.”
“[sobre a centralização dos direitos televisivos] Benfica tends to be above the law or break the law in various situations, which cannot happen. There is a common interest here, in which rivalry must understand what is the common interest of everyone, of our League. If we cannot do this, we are on the wrong path, therefore this message is incorrect. I think that the attitude of Sp. Braga, who presents alternatives to competing frameworks, even if they are not accepted, but questions them, is far more valuable than these positions.”
Source: DN
