Reinaldo Teixeira: “Villas-Boas and Varandas couldn’t have been better” | OneFootball

Reinaldo Teixeira revealed, in an interview with Rádio Renascença on the Bola Branca program, that the relationship between André Villas-Boas and Frederico Varandas, the presidents of FC Porto and Sporting, respectively, is far more cordial in League meetings than the image of tension conveyed publicly.

“Within the League, in our meetings, Councils of Presidents and summits, within our assemblies, the presidents show cordiality, a constructive spirit, and commitment to the greater good of football,” said the League leader.

The executive acknowledged that “the back-and-forth needling on both sides” is part of the rivalry, but again praised the presidents’ conduct. “I want to reiterate this: the behavior behind closed doors could not be better, with mutual respect and a focus on everyone’s interests in football,” he stressed.

Reinaldo Teixeira’s position contrasts with statements made by André Villas-Boas himself. In May, during the 4th Bola Branca Conference, the Porto president admitted to having “a very particular animosity” toward Frederico Varandas. “We don’t like each other, I don’t trust him, he doesn’t trust me. That’s the truth,” he said at the time.

The president of Liga Portugal also praised the other clubs, including FC Porto. Although he did not initially have the support of the Dragons, the club has since begun actively cooperating with the League. “Since then, they have been by our side with constructive suggestions, criticizing here and there, suggesting that we do this and that.”

The relationship with Rui Costa

Regarding Rui Costa, Benfica’s president, Reinaldo Teixeira highlighted the friendship that has united them for several years. “I am a personal friend of Rui Costa, I do not deny that anywhere. I have known him since we were 15, I have the highest opinion of him as a human being, player and executive,” he admitted. He added that, despite the differences in the way the three presidents operate, the values they defend are “similar.”

In the interview, the Liga Portugal leader also spoke about the next steps in the centralized sale of audiovisual rights for professional competitions, a process he considers “very challenging.” Teixeira said he was optimistic and highlighted the “appeal and enthusiasm for the product” shown by the operators. “We are confident that this will be a success for the good of football and the sporting companies,” he concluded, pointing to the goal of selling the rights “for a value no one expects.”

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