André Villas-Boas, the former coach who is now the president of Porto, spoke to MARCA in his role as an ambassador for the Laureus Foundation.
André Villas-Boas during one of his many projects with the Laureus Foundation.
André Villas-Boas (Porto, 1977) is one of the most multifaceted personalities in the world of football. He led Porto to a treble (League, Cup, and Europa League) in his first season as a coach, and now he aims to bring the ‘Dragons’ back to the top as president. He has traveled this path with an inseparable companion: the Laureus Foundation. In his role as an ambassador, he participated in a roundtable discussion with other leading European media outlets.
**Question.** You have been actively collaborating with the Laureus Foundation for years on different projects around the world. What value do you place on your role as an ambassador?
**Answer.** They are different experiences and emotions. The Laureus Foundation won my heart because of all the support they provide through sport. Laureus has been fundamental in creating various projects around the world. I have had the privilege and honor of carrying and promoting the Laureus name in my adventures in the Dakar Rally.
The work they do is unparalleled. They have also helped my own association, Race for Good. We raise money through different sporting events and donate it to various institutions in Portugal.
The work Laureus does in creating projects around the world with sport as a vehicle is incomparable.
The trip to India was very impactful. Visiting the poorest suburbs of Delhi was both interesting and challenging. I did some training sessions with children in an environment with very low social development, and yet the emotion and happiness they showed while practicing sports with us were fantastic.
Villas-Boas during his visit to Delhi.
**Question.** You never cease to amaze us. You burst onto the scene as a successful coach, competed professionally as a rally driver, and in April 2024 you became president of Porto. How is your new life?
**Answer.** The role of president is more stressful, of course. As a coach, you have more things under control: the team, preparation, tactics… The role of president is to put people in the right place in different areas, starting with all sports disciplines (football, basketball, handball, volleyball, athletics…) and continuing with everything related to the FC Porto group: finance, marketing, logistics… It has been a big challenge.
We had a difficult first year, a year of transformation, where most of our focus was on the financial aspects of the institution. We managed to rebalance them and put them on a long-term footing, and now we have found focus and stability on the sporting front. We signed Francesco Farioli, which has been a great success. We are top of the league, in the semi-finals of the cup, and in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. That’s why we renewed his contract. We have great confidence in his work going forward.
We had a difficult first year, a year of transformation, where our focus was on the financial aspects of the institution.
In the lower categories, things are also a bit more stable. There are many young players progressing, and I am confident that, in the long term, they will bring us stability so that Porto can have more success at national and international level.
**Question.** You are only 48. Why did you decide to stop coaching?
**Answer.** I always wanted to have a short career and I coached for 13 years. The last two I was preparing for Porto’s elections: closing the program, organizing my team…
