""I didn't come to Benfica to upset Porto," he said. "I came to Benfica to enjoy the opportunity to once again coach a club with winning ambitions at a high level. I didn't come to upset anyone. By saying that Benfica is one of the biggest clubs in the world, I'm not saying that Porto isn't. "If someone asks me if Porto is one of the biggest clubs in the world, I'd say yes. If someone asks me if Porto is a giant club, I'd say yes. If someone asks me if I, not being Benfica's coach, have a special affection for Porto, I'd say yes.""
""I don't think they [Porto and Sporting] will be upset if I say that after joining Benfica, I spoke with [Porto] president [Andre] Villas-Boas and president [Frederico] Varandas of Sporting,""
""If we have a good relationship, if we're friends and respect each other, the fact that I'm Benfica coach doesn't mean I've come here to wage war.""
A manager returned to Portuguese football after 21 years away from Porto to take charge of Benfica. The appointment was described as a tremendous honour and as more motivating than previous roles. The manager emphasized joining Benfica to enjoy coaching a club with high winning ambitions rather than to antagonize Porto or Sporting. Contacts were reportedly made with the presidents of Porto and Sporting. Tensions with Porto remain, with expected frosty reception at the Dragão stadium and some Porto fans already directing insults at the manager.
Read at ESPN.com
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