FC Porto could be champions again with a foreign manager 20 years on | OneFootball

The 2025/26 Portuguese League is approaching its निर्णive stage. Although everything remains open, FC Porto are well placed to reclaim the national championship title, which has eluded them since 2021/22. If they achieve that objective, the blue-and-white club will also return to a reality it has not experienced for exactly 20 years: winning the league with a foreign coach.

Francesco Farioli could become the name that succeeds Co Adriaanse as the last international manager to lead the Dragons to domestic success, on a list that also includes Bobby Robson, Carlos Alberto Silva and Tomislav Ivic. The experienced Dutch coach was the last foreigner to be crowned champion with FC Porto, a feat that Víctor Fernández, Julen Lopetegui and Martín Anselmi were later unable to repeat.

The team alternated between a 3-4-3, either in its traditional version or in a triangle setup, and a 3-5-2. In midfield, Lucho was the one constant. Alongside the Argentine international, there was usually just one more player to ensure balance (Raúl Meireles and Ibson) and, often, a third player focused on holding duties (Paulo Assunção). Diego completely lost his place in the new system, while in the winter transfer window a talented player arrived who added quality: Anderson. On the wings played both wingers (Quaresma, Alan, Jorginho, Ivanildo) and wide midfielders/full-backs (Marek Cech), capable of giving the team dynamism and pace. In attack, the team sometimes operated with a classic front three, made up of a winger, an inside forward (Lisandro López) and a centre-forward (Benny McCarthy or Hugo Almeida), and at other times with a strike partnership. The squad was also strengthened in that area with a player who brought decisive goals: Adriano. It was a model that prioritised balance without losing its attacking edge.

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