Ex-Sporting manager Paulo Bento was officially appointed as Portugal’s new coach on Tuesday. However, many supporters of the country’s national soccer team are unhappy about the FPF’s decision.
Jose Mourinho was most people’s number one choice although Paulo Bento always looked to be the likely person to replace Carlos Queiroz who was sacked a few weeks ago. As a manager of Sporting Lisbon, former defensive midfielder Paulo Bento led his side to win both the Portuguese Cup and the Portuguese Supercup twice.
In spite of these achievements, some Portuguese fans doubt the credibility of Portugal’s new coach who never experienced greatness in European and international football as a player. Following the news of his appointment which broke on Tuesday, comments on Portugoal.net offered more negatives than positives thoughts, with one of the statements boldly predicting:
“This is doomed for failure, and will result in some of the worst showings ever for our nation.”
The very fact that Paulo Bento had to resign following poor results with Sporting Lisbon, before enduring almost two years without a job, has scared off A Selecção supporters. On the contrary, Portugal’s new coach is confident of guiding the team on a good path as he explained in his first press conference as the manager of A Selecção:
“God willing, we will be at Euro 2012. We have quality, determination, and motivation to achieve this. I believe that the players will make it happen. I’m sure that no-one is even thinking of missing out on Euro 2012.”
Paulo Bento also expressed is happiness at coming just second behind two-time treble winner Jose Mourinho on the FPF’s list. As he responded to questions during Wednesday’s press conference, Paulo Bento affirmed:
“Any entity when making a choice doesn’t have just one option. They [Portugal’s Football Federation] had every authority in exhausting all the possibilities they had in mind.
“My position is in no way more fragile because I was chosen behind the best coach in the world [Jose Mourinho]. For me, it’s rather a source of pride.”
In a few weeks’ time, Paulo Bento will have two golden opportunities to prove doubters wrong. Portugal will resume their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign in October with must-win matches against Denmark and Iceland. A Selecção presently hold a single point from a possible six and new coach Paulo Bento has been left with a hard mission to accomplish.
In spite of these achievements, some Portuguese fans doubt the credibility of Portugal’s new coach who never experienced greatness in European and international football as a player. Following the news of his appointment which broke on Tuesday, comments on Portugoal.net offered more negatives than positives thoughts, with one of the statements boldly predicting:
“This is doomed for failure, and will result in some of the worst showings ever for our nation.”
The very fact that Paulo Bento had to resign following poor results with Sporting Lisbon, before enduring almost two years without a job, has scared off A Selecção supporters. On the contrary, Portugal’s new coach is confident of guiding the team on a good path as he explained in his first press conference as the manager of A Selecção:
“God willing, we will be at Euro 2012. We have quality, determination, and motivation to achieve this. I believe that the players will make it happen. I’m sure that no-one is even thinking of missing out on Euro 2012.”
Paulo Bento also expressed is happiness at coming just second behind two-time treble winner Jose Mourinho on the FPF’s list. As he responded to questions during Wednesday’s press conference, Paulo Bento affirmed:
“Any entity when making a choice doesn’t have just one option. They [Portugal’s Football Federation] had every authority in exhausting all the possibilities they had in mind.
“My position is in no way more fragile because I was chosen behind the best coach in the world [Jose Mourinho]. For me, it’s rather a source of pride.”
In a few weeks’ time, Paulo Bento will have two golden opportunities to prove doubters wrong. Portugal will resume their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign in October with must-win matches against Denmark and Iceland. A Selecção presently hold a single point from a possible six and new coach Paulo Bento has been left with a hard mission to accomplish.
