Marseilles (AFP)
From his ultra teenage years to his quadruple with FC Porto in 2011, André Villas-Boas tells AFP his unalterable ties with his long-standing club, which he must nevertheless beat on Tuesday to revive Marseille in the Champions League.
.
Born under the sign of the dragon
"I've been a fan of Porto since I was born, my uncle Luis took me to the stadium," recalls Villas-Boas.
As a little boy, "my grandmother's husband, whom I consider to be my real grandfather, made me socio of FC Porto from my birth," he continues.
But he was actually linked to the club even before he was born!
"The two uncles of my English grandmother, Margaret Kendall, were with Nicolau d'Almeida among the founders of FC Porto", in 1893, rewinds "AVB".
"They even figure in the very first team of FC Porto, Albert and Alfred Kendall", he continues.
The first in defense, the second in attack.
.
Teen with "the hottest supporters"
Villas-Boas remembers when he was 9 years old the first victory in C1, in 1987 (2-1 against Bayern), "as a family in my grandfather's house for this great moment with (the goals of ) Madjer (the famous heel, note) and Juary ".
Then comes adolescence in the kop.
"Around 14, 15, I was with the Super Dragoes. Growing up, I wanted to be in the hottest part of the supporters, I started going to the Superior Sud, the ultras platform at the Das Antas", the old stadium.
He remembers a time "when we were a little excited, we lived intensely the big rivalries with Sporting and Benfica".
But he doesn't dream of becoming a player.
“I was not talented,” he smiles.
.
"I called out to Robson"
A mythical encounter will launch him on another path.
“When I was 16, I approached Bobby Robson, the coach at the time. I was coming home from school on my bike, I put it in my garage, and I see his car coming,” begins AVB.
"I gain a little courage to challenge him, ask him why Domingos (Paciência), my favorite player, does not play when he always makes the difference when he comes off the bench," he continues.
Touched, the English coach "invites me to come and see the training sessions, I feel little by little more passion for the function".
He even became an observer of FC Porto's opponents, and, advised by his mentor, began training as a coach.
.
From young teams to staff
Then he crosses the road of another great coach, José Mourinho.
"When José arrived in Porto (2002), I was training the U12s. At the club, you follow your players from class to class when you are a coach, and then you start again", recalls AVB.
"It was my year to resume with the little ones, I was a little frustrated by that. I asked José to give me an opportunity, he gave it to me, and it changed my life", admits -he.
As assistant to "Mou" he won the 2004 Champions League (3-0 against Monaco).
He returns as number one coach for the 2010-2011 season and begins with a quadrupled Cup, Super Cup and Championship in Portugal and Europa League, with "a pornographic team", he laughs, "with Hulk, Falcao, James Rodriguez , Moutinho, Fernando, Otamendi ... One of the best teams in the world ".
.
Back with OM, "it's hard"
Weighted with the nickname "Special Two", after Mourinho, he flies again for mixed experiences at Chelsea and Tottenham, successful at Zenit Saint-Petersburg and at the Port of Shanghai club, SIPG.
On Tuesday, he will face his club at heart for the first time since 2009, when he coached Coimbra.
Against the Dragons, he has three losses and one draw.
To challenge Porto, "it's hard, because on the other side you always have people you are related to, there is your family next ... But you maintain the professionalism, you try to win, and it's okay be the same on Tuesday, "he promises.
On the horizon, he would like to become ... president of his club.
"He is a socio who has the capacity, it would be a good option for FC Porto", declared this summer Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, at the helm since 1982. It is his destiny ...
© 2020 AFP