José Fernando on Farioli’s new FC Porto deal: “Rivals are desperate” | OneFootball

The renewal of Francesco Farioli is seen as the best way for FC Porto to continue a recent project that already shows the potential to last several seasons, although integrating a coach without titles involves risks demonstrated by past experiences.

In an exclusive statement to Portal dos Dragões, José Fernando Rio defended the decision of André Villas-Boas and took the opportunity to respond to comparisons with renewals at other clubs.

“I don't think it was an urgent decision, since it is clear that Farioli is committed to the club and the club is committed to him. But, either way, I have nothing against this renewal and it can even strengthen the ties between the two parties,” began the former candidate for the presidency of FC Porto.

For José Fernando Rio, the coach's work has been commendable and deserves continuity: “Farioli is doing a fantastic job. I think FC Porto needs this coach not for one year or two, but, if possible, for three or more years. Therefore, extending his contract now, giving him this sign of confidence and commitment from the club, can be very positive for the future,” he emphasized.

When asked if a Classic with Benfica would influence the timing of the official announcement, Rio described little connection between the two: “Does the Classic affect the timing? Not much, obviously it reinforces the confidence of the coach and his technical team. The players see that this is the coach for the present and the future of the club, so there may be even greater commitment. But, in fact, the team is very focused and eager to win. And I don't think this renewal will make a difference,” analyzed José Fernando Rio.

The former candidate recalled the calendar and the team's ambitions as factors justifying the renewal now: “However, we are halfway through the season. FC Porto finishes the first half in first place. They now have an important game for the Portuguese Cup. They also have some important games for the Europa League to see if they can go directly to the round of 16. Therefore, it is a good time to renew with the coach,” warned the Porto supporter.

Regarding the argument that the renewal would be premature, Rio countered that this is precisely the right time to assess the project heading into the second half: “I don't think this renewal is premature. For it to exist, it was now, which is the time to take stock for the second half. Seven points are not few. Obviously, in football, anything can happen, not often, but we have seen great comebacks. But, above all, the work that has been done gives us confidence, reveals competence, intelligence, and commitment. Therefore, I think it is a positive decision to renew with Francisco Farioli,” he confessed.

Rio emphasized that the club should look to a new season and ambitious goals: “FC Porto has to think that it is starting a new season at the club and this could be the ideal coach for that new season. FC Porto, this year, needs to be champion. Obviously, that is the most important thing. But I think the project involves building a great team. And I think this coach is ideal for building that great team. So that next year we can fight to retain the title and integrate the Champions League again. And in three years, perhaps, we can even have a great European team that gives us another kind of joy. I think it was a good decision. I repeat that it was not an urgent decision. But I understand it, applaud it, and hope it works out fully,” he assured before reacting to possible comparisons with Roger Schmidt's case... at Benfica.

Regarding such parallels, Rio considered them unfounded: “The risk of things going wrong always exists. Now, it doesn't seem very rational to make such comparisons. Even because, if that were the case, FC Porto wouldn't have hired Farioli, a coach who lost the championship in the Netherlands, five rounds from the end, when he had a nine-point lead. History doesn't repeat itself, I don't believe in that. FC Porto trusts this coach and it is not because other renewals at other clubs have failed that this one might fail,” he admitted.

For the director, rival criticisms result mainly from desperation in the face of Porto's success this season: “I think our rivals are so desperate that they are already looking for negative things where they don't exist. Now they cling to the hope that Farioli failed at the end in Nice and failed at the end at Ajax. Now it's Roger Schmidt's renewal, which was also a mistake and went wrong. It's none of that. They are different situations,” he stressed.

Rio called for a vision aimed at rebuilding great teams and regaining European relevance, attributing a central role to Villas-Boas in this process: “We must look to the future and it seems to me that this decision, considering the future that FC Porto wants to build... FC Porto wants to have great teams again and be a relevant club not only in Portugal but also in Europe, which unfortunately it has ceased to be in recent years. FC Porto wants to be a sporting shark, not a financial one. And I think that's what Villas-Boas is working towards. That's why these signings have been made. And I think this renewal with Francesco Farioli goes exactly in that direction,” he concluded.

Regarding the duel that will decide a place in the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup, José Fernando Rio anticipated an intense game and made an appeal to the ambition of both teams: “A Classic is always a Classic.” Therefore, he considered the result unpredictable, even recognizing FC Porto's better phase: “FC Porto's moment is more positive than Benfica's moment. But that doesn't mean anything. It's a knockout game. It's a single game. Therefore, it doesn't count for points. It counts for a place in the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup. And therefore, I hope that FC Porto and Benfica enter the field and give the best they can,” he anticipated.

Regarding the opponent's strategy, the former candidate concluded: “I don't expect Benfica to take risks. I expect Benfica to be like Mourinho. What Mourinho has been in recent years and during this time at Benfica. A more cautious team. But obviously, they come here to win the game. Because Benfica wants to reach the semi-final. FC Porto also wants it very much. And therefore, I think we will have a meeting, if not spectacular, at least very emotional,” he concluded.

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