 |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 13 July 2011 10:13 |
Pinto da Costa: “Villas-Boas left because he was scared of Mourinho’s ghost”Porto president says “Hulk is irreplaceable, the other 10 are not”  Pinto da Costa made some bruising remarks regarding Andre Villas-Boas at an event held at the Figueira de Foz Casino last night. The FC Porto president claimed the now Chelsea coach left the club because he was afraid of “Mourinho’s ghost”.
In a question and answer session with one of Portugal’s top journalists, Fatima Campos Ferreira, Pinto da Costa spoke candidly about the departure of the young manager, his replacement and the incessant transfer speculation surrounding Porto’s players.
“Villas-Boas was living with Mourinho’s ghost. He was afraid he would not have the same success as in his first season. I think that was the crucial aspect in his departure,” said Pinto da Costa.
“In a conversation between the two of us I said ‘Are you worried about shipping three or four goals against FC Barcelona (in the European Super Cup)? Mourinho shipped five but that does not mean he is no longer the best coach in the world.’ “On the day he officially left I slept well because everything had been planned for. Villas-Boas rescinded his contract at 4pm and at 5pm I was presenting his replacement. I already had Vitor Pereira as back-up. Even before Villas-Boas knew himself he was going to leave, I suspected that he would be leaving.
“If I was his father I would have told him what I told him as his president and his friend: that he should stay at FC Porto one more year. In football, when you talk about European giants, the measure is not Chelsea. It’s Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United. I told him that this would be Guardiola’s last season at Barcelona and that was the ideal club for him, but he was scared of the comparisons with Mourinho and left.”
Transfer hint?The Porto president also tackled a question about the constant rumours linking Porto’s star players with a move away from the Estadio do Dragao.
“If 10 players leave I have replacements for each one of them. There is only one who I don’t have a replacement for, who is Hulk. If a player such as Alvaro Pereira or Falcao left, FC Porto would continue to play in the same style. But as there is no player with the same characteristics as Hulk, our game would have to change.”
Falcao has been the subject of particularly intense speculation since the departure of Villas-Boas. Porto are still in negotiations with the Colombian’s representatives to improve his contract and raise his release clause, which currently stands at the relatively modest sum of 30 million euros.
|
Let me add that Man United has a low payroll compared to their counterparts. Hence them getting Sneidjer without him taking a huge paycut, will be impossible.
Many also don't know that Barcelona has the highest payroll of all. They should be good, no.
Sure Chelsea has had some success in the past, but PDC is 100% right. The big boys list of UEFA does not include Chelsea. The only reason people even mention Chelsea is because of their pocketbooks. They do not have a culture of winning, nor a prestige as some of the clubs PDC mentioned.
What Roman needs to understand is that he cannot keep buying players he thinks will help his team just because he can. Anybody remember Shevchenko? Roman needs to let his football management team decide who and who doesn't play, along with any suggestions for transfers. If your team is a revolving door of staff and players, that team cannot build a sense of loyalty, heart and camaraderie. That's the truth. That is why teams like Manchester United win, and win often. People on that team bleed for that shirt and Sir Alex. They've built a culture of winning over the years, from being one of the smaller clubs in England to being a club that is well known across the planet. That takes time, strong management, and loyalty. Something Roman needs to understand and learn from. Hopefully AVB gets that opportunity, otherwise he'll be gone in a year.
As I said before, sure money is definitely a plus. But if you had to play for any team, who would you rather play for? Manchester United, or Manchester City? I don't want to make it sound like I'm dogging on Chelsea, but for there's a difference between being rich, and being wealthy. The big 3 in Portugal can buy and spend more than the smaller clubs, but no one can deny that they have built upon their successes in the past. Just look at Benfica's or Porto's trophy case. That didn't happen overnight, nor was it a flash in the pan. That was years in the making. The fact that teams like Chelsea and Manchester City can even be mentioned in the same breath as Real, Barca, Bayern, Milan, is not because of a culture of winning or history, it's simply because they have the deep pockets to go after the same players. Nothing more.
I obviously didn't mean "can come year" but "can come here". :P
There's no doubt that FC Porto is the overall most successful club in Portugal, but the difference between them and Benfica is not so great. Do you know why so many people await for the Clássicos? Because they can go either way and most supporters of the Big Three will boast about winning. The logic is pretty simple and if the difference was that great the rivalry would have diminished.
Try to be more respectful.
Actually, Porto can say they are third, I'm not sure Chelsea can even say that.
Both have insignificant backing outside their countries. At least compared with the big boys.
As for Chelsea and all its wanting to be world powerful and win everything, it just might become better known for starting the billionaire toy buying folly.
Regarding buying success. Several clubs have reached finals or won trophies by not investing heavily. Braga could be pointed out for that last season. Porto in the Champions League in 2004.
Of course that those who got the money have more chances to stay on top, but the problem here is that Chelsea has spent in one player more than Porto for the new season and continuously fail to deliver. Take a look at Porto's team in their last CL win (Chelsea would never front a player like Derlei). And even though Chelsea aims higher, look at Braga's team that left Liverpool and Benfica behind in Europa League. It's been proven that money is not the most important thing so Chelsea deserves all the bashing they get.
I've no doubt that the Portuguese clubs would spend more if given the chance but, with their current achievements, giving them the money would certainly mean we would get many more winners and runners-up. (Imagine Robinho had gone to Benfica, Ronaldo had stayed at Sporting and Ronaldinho Gaúcho could have started his career in Portugal (paying 5M€ for a promising youngster was too much for Portuguese clubs back in 2001)).
As for Pinto's comments, they don't really deviate from the norm. Although he is directly connected with Porto's success, the president is one of the few things I don't like in FC Porto. And I'm sad to see that many supporters (I'm not referring to anyone here in particular but rather to people I know personally) see him as the club in itself, something he tries to perpetuate by saying this kind of things.
Man Chelsea fans know nothing about this sport and it's history. Next they'll bring up, we where in the CL finals not too long ago, WOW 1 time, Benfica has been there 7 times and we get made fun of for bragging about it. Just plan clowns. Why don't you guys spend another 80million for a striker that can't score LOL.
Option 1: stay at porto. if u win UCL (very hard) u will be called Mourinho's equal. If you don't, u'r an inferior version of Mourinho. Possible benefit - take over Barça in 2012/13, although it's highly contingent on your Ucl success (if you tank it, u r screwed).
Option 2: move to chelsea. if u win UCL (not too hard) you will be praised as a superior version of Mourinho. If you don't, you're no worse than Mourinho. Possible disadvantage - probably miss out on Barça role
he is a porto fan, and he probably contented himself with the possibility of returning to Porto later in his career to try win UCL
Fact, we already proved it ...twice (2 finals WON, no runners up).
Fact, before last year we consistently passed the CL group stage and round of 16 (4 times) to make it to the quarters (twice) or WON the Europa League (twice) for the past 10 or so years (only existing the CL twice in the group stage).
Fact, we don't have the money Chelsea has (we soon will with our trading policy)
Opinion, you think Chelsea is a better team.
NJ said it the best. As a Portista, PDC is someone I can truly respect. When he took over the club, he has brought nothing but success, smart personnel moves, and is great with finding new talent and buying low/selling high. The difference of how Porto is viewed not only in Portugal, but in Europe is directly a result of PDC. FC Porto is EXPECTED to contend each and every year, not only in the Liga, but in Europe. Trust me, Portistas are not content "with just being there" in Europe. We EXPECT to advance. Of course it doesn't always happen, but that's football. Difference between Chelsea an Porto is, Chelsea tries to buy a culture of winning, while Porto (and Benfica) have developed one. Chelsea fans make thumb their nose down at clubs like Porto or Benfica, but man, you sure loved taking our coaches and players over these past few years don't you?
Chelsea's biggest problem is their biggest asset: Roman. Just sign the cheques Roman and keep football matters to the football management if you want to win. If AVB gets to pull all the strings with the team (highly unlikely) than maybe Chelsea will get that Champion League title they so desperately want. If not, you can add AVB to the fine list of coaches you've sacked. For those interested, follow his progress here:
http://www.hasandrevillasboasbeensackedyet.com/
The funny thing about all this uproar about AVB leaving is that PDC is somewhat responsible or "worried"? Where were you all when PDC was criticized for hiring AVB in the first place? Remember, our previous coach had a resume stating he won won the Liga 3 times in a row. The team finishes 3rd, so PDC sacks him and replaces him with an unknown? If Vitor Pereira loses 3 in a row, PDC will find a replacement, and Porto will continue on. Question to ask is, when PDC is gone, will FC Porto continue it's legacy? PDC is Porto's MVP, plain and simple.
I will never forget or diminish what AVB did for Porto this past year. It was a magical year and he is a great coach. And yeah, I would have liked to have seen him take this team into the Champions League competition and see if we can take it. But at the end of the day, Porto got 30 million for AVB. A coach. One year. 30 million. I cannot think of a better example of how much PDC means to FC Porto and its fans.
I bet AVB is feeling even better about his move today.
http://www.keelbyunited.co.uk
Hulk is a bit of a phenomenon though!
His characteristics are quite special in a footballer and if you ask any defender in Portugal who they hate most to play against I'm sure most of them will say Hulk and not Falcao.
Chelsea are just a small club with money. The only people who don't seem to realise that are Chelsea fans themselves.
Come back here when you've won 2 Champions Leagues & 2 World Club Cups.
Mr Abramovich won't be at your club forever you know, it will be fun to watch when he eventually leaves and takes his billions of roubles with him.
CHELSEA WIL NEVER HAVE THE PEDIGREE OF PORTO OR BENFICA
After saying that, let me add that Costa deserves all the accolades that he gets and wants. He has done a tremendous job with Porto, and like others have stated, the system has beem in place for a while now.
Porto has been able to move players and bring in new ones, for the most part, without skipping a beat.
I have nothing but respect for what he has done. let me add that he has also said plenty of silly/crazy/dumb things.
As for AVB leaving due to Mourinho's ghost, does hold some water eventhough he went to Chelsea. If AVB couldn't have gotten Porto deep into the Champions League, or worse yet get bumped to Europa and not win it again, his value would have diminished. Nothing is a given in football, so any preceived step back would have hurt him financially.
This way he cashed in right away. Let me also add that if Pep left, Barca would have never paid AVB as much as Chelsea even if he would have won the CL with Porto.
I too have been a harsh critic of Hulk, but more so for his play. He used to disappear in big matches, but last season he really came through for Porto.
I always think that it's poistering by managers and presidents when they say they can't due without a player. it usually means they will move him and just want to drive teh price up.
But in this case, I actually belive Costa. Everything Porto does goes through Hulk. He was the main contributer to Falcao's goals and creator on the team.
"I wonder if they ever remind themselves that their club was won nothing in Europe and therefore is below the likes of Porto, Benfica, Ajax, Inter, and any other teams that's ever done something." Mdot.
Chelsea in Europe? They won 2 Euro league Cups, right? Yea...we won 2 Champions Leagues, they don't even come close. But hey as long as you keep pouring money into the system you're bound to get 1 soon, right? In fact, only 1 club can do that successfully to my knowledge and that's Real Madrid.
PDC FOR PRESIDENT OF THE FPF.
Viva Seleccao Viva Portugal.
As for AVB, he left for the money and he's try to do the same with some other players but Chelsea can't afford Hulk and that's why PdC is so confident that Hulk is staying with the club. As much as I don't like Porto I do respect the fact that they are a strong and established club unlike these fake clubs of Chelsea and City. I wonder if the Porto fans will be singing "should have stayed with a real club" when AVB crashes out of that hell hole.