Just two days after the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution in Portugal came the greatest revolution in memory in Portuguese football. Pinto da Costa, who was ‘The King’ of ‘soccer’ for 42 years, lost the Porto elections like he never could have imagined against a young Villas Boas who is only four years older than his predecessor has been president.
The times ahead are ones of uncertainty and a lot of responsibility for the former coach. The new president of Porto has chosen as his right hand to Antoni Zubizarreta, former Spanish international and former sporting director of Barcelona, Athletic and Olympique Marseille. The two, football men, have in their hands the difficult task of satisfying very demanding fans, always used to winning.
And there will still be much noise, since the end of the reign of Pinto da Costa was not a transition after a dynasty of four decades. What happened was that more than 20,000 members out of 26,000 voted for the change. This created a rift with the radical Super Dragons fans, who were Da Costa’s ‘personal guard’ for decades.
‘Homework’ for Zubi
Zubizarreta promised that he will become a goalkeeper at heart, something key in a city that greatly appreciates that those who come from outside feel the region like everyone else. Just like Iker Casillas, he quickly conquered the blue heartsAntoni has an even more important role: pass through your hands decisions that will lead to success… or failure. The new sports director arrives after suffering much criticism during Da Costa’s campaign.
Zubizarreta is going to be closely watched from day one and he will have to know how to live with it. His friendship with Villas-Boas comes from the time in which the two worked in Marseille and the new president endorses his work, especially in what is training. A key point in this new stage. Porto is going through a serious financial crisis and the quarry It will have to be at the level of its rivals (Benfica and Sporting), who make money with their young players.
The future of Conceiao
The first litmus test for Zubizarreta and Villas-Boas being the current coach, Sergio Conceiao, close to Pinto da Costa’s candidacy and that he also renewed his contract until 2028 two days before the elections.
Now it is necessary to define whether the contract of the coach who has led Porto since 2017, winning three Leagues in this period, is fulfilled or not. The decision is now in the hands of Conceiao. Duties for a new board that will begin piloting this era in the next 15 days. Times of change are coming in Do Dragao. Of hope for some and uncertainty for others.
2024-04-28 15:44:25
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