Lisbon, 23 December (EFE).- Brazil was one of the latest countries to give in to the “made in Portugal” coaches, who became popular after José Mourinho’s successes at Chelsea and Real Madrid, and are now multiplying in football Brazilian First Division.
With experience in European football and great familiarity with the South American one, the Portuguese coaches lead seven of the 20 teams that will play next season in the “Brasileirão”, the Brazilian first division.
Abel Ferreira, with success at Palmeiras, and Vítor Pereira, who caused an earthquake with his move to Flamengo, are some of the names that make headlines in the Brazilian league.
THE SUCCESS OF ABEL FERREIRA AND THE “STORM” OF VÍTOR PEREIRA
At just 43 years old and about to start his fourth season at Palmeiras, Ferreira won the Copa Libertadores on his debut, 2019/2020, an ambitious title that the giant from São Paulo had only won in 1999.
Not content with either, the former Sporting de Braga and Greek Paok repeated the feat the following season.
To his two Libertadores he recently added the Brazilian championship, with the Copa do Brasil and the Recopa Sudamericana.
Abel’s success is such that his name often sounds like one of Tite’s possible successors in the “canarinha”.
Another of the Portuguese figures is Vítor Pereira, who “turned on” Brazil by leaving Corinthians for one of its great rivals, Flamengo.
The 54-year-old coach, two-time Portuguese champion with Porto and Greek champion with Olympiacos, earned the admiration of demanding Corinthians fans last season when he finished fourth.
However, he decided not to renew his contract with the San Paolo club, citing family reasons. He was contemplating a return to Portugal but eventually signed for Flamengo, which caused a media storm in Brazil, where he was subject to frequent and harsh criticism.
“The guy deceived everyone” and “he lied,” Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro recently said.
The list of Portuguese coaches also includes Luís Castro (Botafogo), Pedro Caixinha (Red Bull Bragantino), António Oliveira (Curitiba), Renato Paiva (Bahia) and Ivo Vieira (Cuiabá).
JORGE JESUS TURN UP THE INTAKE
The furore for Portuguese coaches in Brazil began with Jorge Jesus’ short and successful spell at Flamengo.
Jesus, 68, was not the first Portuguese in the Brazilian league, but he was certainly the most notable. In just one year they won practically everything: Libertadores, Recopa, the championship and the Brazilian Super Cup.
In his 58 matches in the carioca team, he suffered only 4 defeats.
The covid pandemic hastened his return to Portugal and Benfica, where he had already won three league titles and many other trophies. He currently coaches Turkish Fenerbahçe.
The shadow of Jesus continues to hover over the Rio de Janeiro club. When not at the level demanded by the fans, it is common to hear the Maracana sing “Mister, Mister”, as the Portuguese was known in Brazil.
The “mengão” tried to repeat the Portuguese experience with Paulo Sousa (then coach of Poland and winner of a ‘Champions’ when he played for Borussia Dortmund), but without success. Now he tries again with Vítor Pereira.
MOURINHO OPENED THE DOOR
The “internationalization” of Portuguese coaches is largely due to the success of José Mourinho at Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Mourinho’s move to England in 2004 also coincided with a turning point for Portuguese football, with the end of the era led by Luís Figo and the beginning of a golden age led by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Today, Leonardo Jardim, champion of France with Monaco, Carlos Carvalhal, currently at Celta de Vigo, or André Villas-Boas, with passages for Tottenham or Marseille, are some of the Portuguese who have had success away from their country.
Miguel Conceicao
(c) EFE Agency
