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| Wednesday, 11 May 2011 08:51 |
Domingos Paciencia confirms Braga exit, Sporting awaitEuropa League final media day: “It’s the game of our lives” - Mossoro The worst-kept secret in Portuguese football was further corroborated yesterday as Domingos Paciencia admitted for the first time that he would be leaving Braga at the end of the season. Although he did not say it, Domingos is certain to be named Sporting’s coach for 2011/12.
The former FC Porto and Portugal striker has followed up impressive managerial spells at Uniao de Leiria and Academica with a memorable two-year stint at Braga. Under Domingos the Arsenalistas achieved their best ever finish (2nd place) last season, made a commendable debut in the Champions League and are in the final of the Europa League, where they face Porto in one week’s time.
“The Braga fans will understand my decision not to continue and they will certainly forgive me. I was always honest and up front. I’m not insensitive to the appeals they made for me to stay on; this affection leaves me very happy. But I have already made my decision in relation to Braga. We will see about the rest,” said Domingos yesterday.
The coach was speaking during the media day looking forward to the Europa League final in Dublin on 18 May. The words “history” and “dream” were recurring themes in interviews given by several members of the Braga squad.
Alan, Braga winger:“It’s a dream of all the players. It’s not special because we are playing FC Porto – it’s special because we are in a final. It’s a source of pride.”
Mossoro, Braga midfielder:“It’s the game of our lives. For me it will be my first European final and I hope later to be able to tell my grandchildren about the day I won the Europa League.”
Custodio, Braga midfielder:“We have already made history, but we want something bigger. Am I the hero of the Quarry (after scoring winning goal in semi-final)? We are all heroes.”
Hugo Viana, Braga midfielder:“Both for the players and the fans it’s very special to get to the final, which was not a specific goal of ours at the start of the season. But after getting past several big teams, the dream began to take shape. It’s a just reward for the players, coaching staff and supporters.”
Domingos Paciencia, Braga coach:“A final between two Portuguese teams is the best thing that could have happened at this time. We have the best coaches and players in the world and it’s proof that we are not lagging behind like in past years.”
FC Porto hold their media day today, Wednesday.
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The Taca de Portugal is the biggest joke I've seen. Pretending that playing one leg is fair is ridiculous. I had a right to complain. Braga was indeed robbed. Especially when you consider the possibility that Braga could have beaten Benfica at the AXA to eliminate them from the Taca de Portugal. Overall though, I'm happy. Some teams will go to the semi's of the Taca de Portugal. Others go to dublin...
Coming from a guy who was crying and moaning after Benfica eliminated Braga from the Taca de Portugal. I've seen a lot of posters who are just annoying, ignorant, biased, hypocritical losers, but you my dude take the cake. You must have been dropped on the head way too many times when you were a baby. Just stop with the fake BS you on Portugoal and spend your time at this website called Soccer 24/7. I hear they have a great Portuguese section for losers like you.
I may be a Benfiquista, but I'm also realistic.
JJ is not a bad manager. Yes he's done some questionable things, but to say he's awful and that Benfica won't do anything in the Champions League is ridiculous.
Let's just say that both Braga and Sporting wish to be where Benfica will be next season.
But, since this article is about Paciencia and Braga, let's stick with the topic.
First let me say that I am a fan of Paciencia and of what he has been able to accomplish at Braga.
Second, him coming out NOW, to say that he's leaving, it's absolutely classless and irresponsable. To even suggest that it will fire up his players is also ridiculous. The team and fans will gain nothing from him coming out with this news at this time. Just because it might have been the worst kept secret, it should have remained as such.
No, I don't believe in the conspiracy theories in regards to Porto, or any other team.
There is absolutely no reason for this announcement whatsoever. He may be a very good manager, but still has to learn about how to run a squad. Which by the way, he still is, although he's out the door.
As for Braga, this is a bad sign. To me it means that they refused to provide him with the funds necessary to grow. Meaning that mid-table and advancement onto European play every once in a while is in order. Braga actually has a better story to sell than Sporting, but they refused to advance. Even with the 3rd Champions League spot coming after next season, Braga could expect Europa League. That's not a knock, it's just where they have chosen to be.
As for Sporting, turning over 17 players is ridiculous. The guys they want to move may stink, but the fact is that they don't have enough money to get enough good quality talent to replace 17 players. Why bring in garbage for garbage.
Paciencia will learn very quickly, that expectations and scrutiny are much different at the "Maca Podres", oops, Sporting. Just go ask JJ.
Let's also be clear that I may respect him buit, should he go to Sporting, I will despise him and wish him absolutely the worst.
Remember, I'm a Benfiquista, and no matter how well Porto does, Sporting will forever be the enemy.
There are more intelligent Benfica supporters on here than dumb ones.. yet you are throwing stones at us all.
I can appreciate that you have probably heard a tonne of retarded Benfica fans over the years and is why you can be quite harsh.. but not all are that way.
I know there are retarded Braga fans, Porto fans, as well as Benfica fans, we saw that clearly with the projectiles.. but you don't do anyone a service with blanket statements.
Seriously please stop that, I believe you should know better with your intelligence. It is the reason you upset so many others.. not the fact that you make points that they disagree with.. it is mostly the fact that you patronize them in one huge lump.
Be more specific.. say hey NJ (just as an example although you do fight like you are married...lol) you are wrong and I have heard people like you mention that same crap.. and it only comes from the retarded ones.
It makes a huge difference. People are subjective and we tend to only remember the glaring negatives.. a whole bunch will say that JJ is a bad manager and most of the annoying Porto fans on here only remember the one dumb ass that said he was the best manager ever. I would like to know that dumb asses name so I can enjoy beating on him too.
People are biased in this way it is a cognitive bias.. that we all share and some are worse at.
Please stop.
If I say something that bothers you give me both barrels.. if not shoot the right person.
If I run up and punch your grandmother who is in a wheelchair and steal all her money.. just the fact that I was wearing a Benfica shirt makes me a douche.
Learn to shoot.
Cheers
Benfica didn't deserve to win and that's the end of story. By the way, congratulations on not firing Jorge Jesus. Another smart move by the "intelligent" president of Benfica. Not firing a guy who has been an embarrassment for Benfica fans not only nationally but also internationally was a "great" move. Great news for Sporting, Braga, and Porto at least.
I hope you have fun next year watching your club embarass themselves in the CL again like they did this year. CL? what CL? Benfica need to qualify still for the CL? They won't even be making the group stages with that idiot coaching.
News: Artur Moraes is probably going Sporting or Benfica. Braga secured Nacional's Braccalli. Patricio may be headed to Man Utd.
As far as a new coach goes, I wouldn't mind see old Jesualdo Ferreira coming back to Braga. Since leaving Porto his failed with Malaga and I don't think his doing too hot with Panathinaikos. Also DavidM, I don't see Jorge Costa being a candidate. He had a good run with Braga once Rogerio Goncalves was fired during the 06/07 season, but the following season he did nothing impressive besides guide Braga out of their UC group stage. Plus, I remember him saying he was done with coaching after leaving Academica.
That only proved his quality...
A Manager can't be judged on the Liga.. alone.. it is a 3rd rate league.. it is their showing in Europe that truly classifies them. That is why JJ sucks.. his Euro record with the squads he has had have been below par.
Sure AVB is most likely going to win the whole tournament.. but lets get serious.. if JJ had Falcao, Varela, Hulk the Diving Douche, both Rodrigues, Guarin, & Moutinho.. he could probably squeak out a win in the Liga.. even with Roberto in net. With that squad Sergio would be considered a good Manager.
Again I don't mean to detract from AVB as I truly think he is exceptional.. but you are comparing Apples to Bowling Balls..
sure AVB is tasty.. but with Paciencia if you don't eat it.. he will break your teeth with it.. and still get what he wants.
Question is his legacy.. he loses to Porto and everyone applauds him for his result, he beats Porto and he becomes one of the greatest ever.
Question is can he get AVB to eat the bowling ball?
Beating Celtic, Sevilla, Arsenal, Liverpool, Dynamo Kiev and Benfica in Europa? It's unprecedented. Domingos belongs on a big club, not even Sporting deserve him.
Villa-Boas is great too but Paciencia I feel is better. Look at what he has done with a squad that lost quite a few players after JJ was there.
I am happy that he is going to Sporting would rather he came to Benfica.. but the Lions need him more than we do. I don't like Sporting not doing well I like it when they are competitive and turning out talented players. Under Paciencia that will happen again.
Since they are getting rid of 17 players he will have a complete new slate to work with which will be great. I give him two seasons to make the Lions contenders again.. next year with a huge influx of players I think the results will be varied with a great second half of the season.
We had some issues with Managers for awhile with only a couple of quality Portuguese Managers but after Mourinho there is a nice crop of future Special Ones.. with Paciencia leading the way.. AVB too is exceptional.. so it should make for an amazing final..
I hope for the best.. and will be happy if either team wins.
I trust Salvador will find a decent manager.. so believe Braga will still be flying on all cylinders.. maybe not winning Euro trophies.. but more causing discomfort to the top of the Liga. They have a good fan base.. and with performances like they've put on the last couple of seasons what is not to like about them.
I think they are everyone's Cinderella team in the Liga.. even if you support one of the big three most still have them as there next favourites.
As for the timing I think it was decided to mention it now a full week in advance to allow the fans to truly appreciate his last couple of games.
Let's face facts Porto are extreme favourites to win.. as they have been all season.. so really Braga has nothing to do but make themselves proud.
This announcement was for the fans so that if they win.. they can truly celebrate with him. Things could've gotten ugly if they won and nothing was said.. as the fans would feel betrayed.
This way everyone knows and can appreciate him fully.
Cheers Mr. Paciencia.. good luck
Domestically, Braga is heading into the last Liga fixture with Sporting, his future employer (even if not officially--as the article says, it's the worst-kept secret) with third place on the line. Granted, both 3rd and 4th places get Europa League births, but 3rd place means one less qualifying round and a later start of the 11/12 season (and consequently more prep time/better chance of qualifying). I know Domingos is not one of Braga's 11 who will actually determine the outcome of the game, but if I were a Braga fan (for the record, sou sportinguista), I would not want him anywhere near the bench for this game.
I'm not questioning his professionalism, but I think that in (lower case "s") sporting terms, this situation should be avoided. The problem is that the Braga-Sporting match comes before the Europa final--so it's not like Braga can banish him now. In the end, any questionable decisions by Domingos re: the Sporting match (such as resting key players) can probably be masked as "precautions" for the Europa final...
I want FC Porto to win, becuase I am a fan, but huge amount of respect for Braga's achievements this year