Jorge Jesus on time at the Dragão: “It was one of my lowest points here” | OneFootball

Jorge Jesus returned to the Estádio do Dragão, for the first time as coach of the home team, and recalled one of the most difficult experiences of his career at that venue. Before beating Norway 2-1, the national team coach spoke about the expectation of being applauded, the pride of representing everyone’s team, and his first contact with the players. Between the memory of a lost title and the challenges of the present, he stressed: “I always try to keep everything balanced.”

His return put Jorge Jesus in a familiar setting, but in a different position: after so many visits in charge of opposing teams, he was now on the home side. That change of role ran through his remarks, without erasing the bitter memory the Dragão left him with.

Asked about the possibility of receiving applause this time, Jesus answered yes. His confidence in a different reception came side by side with the memory of the title he lost and the pride he feels while serving the national team.

“I think so. I was always with the opposing teams,” he said. “I had one of the most negative spells of my life here [editor’s note: in the 2012/13 season he ‘lost’ the title to FC Porto, with Kelvin’s stoppage-time goal giving the Dragons the win]. I lost a title here, but that’s football. Today I belong to everyone’s team, the national team, and I’m super proud.”

Jesus did not try to hide the weight of that memory, but he was not trapped by it either. By presenting himself as coach of everyone’s team, he shifted the focus from the old rivalry to the responsibility he now carries.

The international break, with four matches in 11 days, brought another topic into the conversation. For the coach, the packed schedule had one clear advantage: it gave him room for a first contact with the players.

“This FIFA window was different, with four matches in 11 days. So it was good for me, because it was my first contact with the players,” he explained. “I’m already calm. It’s not that football doesn’t bring new things, because it is always bringing new things in the game and in life. I always try to keep everything balanced.”

Serenity was the dominant note in this assessment, without Jesus failing to acknowledge the new things football continues to bring. Rather than pointing to difficulties in the schedule, he valued the opportunity to get to know the players and placed balance at the center of his approach.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.