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| Tuesday, 17 November 2009 00:19 |
“A difficult day” - Conceicao on retirementWinger happy with career Former Portugal heroes Fernando Couto, Vitor Baia and Sa Pinto were among those who appeared in Thessaloniki today to pay tribute to Sergio Conceicao, who took a press conference to officially confirm his retirement.
The ex-Portugal stars were joined in the Greek city by Luciano D’Onorfio, the former president of one of Conceicao’s previous clubs, Standard Liege, as the 56-time Portugal international looked ahead to his new job at technical director at PAOK, where he finished his career last week. Related article: Sergio Conceicao hangs up his boots “This is one of the most difficult days of my life because it signals the end of my playing career,” Conceicao said. “However, I thank God for what I have been able to achieve. I managed to win 11 titles, six in Portugal and five in Italy. I thank from the bottom of my heart to all of the coaches, players and people I have worked with. “I also want to thank my family who supported me during all these difficult years, especially outside Portugal, as well as my parents who are no longer with us. I would also like to thank all the journalists in all the countries I played football. And I want to say a big thank you to the president and board of PAOK. “Luciano D’Onorfio was my football manager over many years. With these three players, I have a great friendship. We were eight or nine years together in the national team. We were together at club, like with Couto I was with at Lazio and Porto; I was with Sa Pinto at Standard; with Vitor Baia at Porto. I thank all those who came to congratulate me. Maybe there will be room for cooperation in the future. “I also want to express my condolences to the family of Antonio da Nigris (Mexican striker of Larissa) who unfortunately died. It is too bad that this happens in football. The whole of the PAOK family is with his loved ones.” By Sean Gillen
Comments (1)
Congrats
1
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 10:52
Edgar
Great that legends like Baia, Sa Pinto and Couto showed up for the occassion. Conceicao finally gets some well deserved regognition.
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