André Villas-Boas assumed the presidency of FC Porto today, during the inauguration ceremony of the governing bodies of the board led by the former coach of the ‘Dragões’ football team, 10 days after defeating Pinto da Costa in the elections.
“We are living in a lively electoral cycle, dominated by the vitality and desire of the members to bring about a historic change in the direction of FC Porto. Today we begin a new era in the club’s history”, stressed the new ‘blue and white’ maximum leader, during his speech.
The ceremony began late in the morning, at Estádio do Dragão, in Porto, and marked the entry into office of the new management bodies for the four-year period 2024-2028, elected on April 27, with a clear triumph for list B in the most disputed vote. of the club’s history.
“From me, from my entire team, I guarantee you commitment, dedication and love for FC Porto. We are here only to serve you, with dedication of body and soul, work and a vision that will transport us to modernity, knowing that the path will be hard”, he noted.
André Villas-Boas succeeded Pinto da Costa as president of the board of directors of FC Porto, while António Tavares replaced José Lourenço Pinto as head of the General Assembly Board and Jorge Guimarães replaced Angelino Ferreira on the Fiscal and Disciplinary Council.
Fernando Freire de Sousa was the first name submitted for the Superior Council, which has 20 effective members, of which 15 were elected by list B, four by the candidacy of Pinto da Costa (A) and one by the independent movement headed by the lawyer and university professor Miguel Brás da Cunha (D), who only ran for the advisory body.
The inauguration was witnessed by Pinto da Costa, who, having led one of the governing bodies in the last term, will inherently occupy the seat assigned to him on the Superior Council, just like Lourenço Pinto, in line with the club’s statutes .
“There are no words to describe or even thank you for everything you did for FC Porto. The president of presidents is not a metaphor! It is memory, respect and gratitude. Above all, it is work, victory and glory. [Reúne] A unique service record, which brings with it a living and present thought: ‘This is the FC Porto that I leave to you, take care of it’. I will do so, Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa. His legacy is eternal and will always be respected,” noted Villas-Boas.
The former coach became the 34th president in the history of FC Porto on April 27, by totaling 21,489 votes (80.28%) to prevail in the elections for the ‘dragons’ governing bodies, breaking a sequence of 15 mandates and 42 years of Pinto da Costa, who accumulated 5,224 (19.52%), with businessman and professor Nuno Lobo totaling 53 (0.2%).
The club’s most popular election ever saw the participation of 26,876 members at Estádio do Dragão, with 73 blank votes and 37 invalid votes.
The unprecedented election of André Villas-Boas, aged 46, marks the end of the presidential ‘reign’ of Pinto da Costa, aged 86, who was sworn in for the first time on April 23, 1982, becoming, since then, the manager with the most titles and longevity in world football.
Over 15,355 days, and across all levels, FC Porto won 2,591 titles in 21 sports – 68 of which in men’s senior football, including seven international ones.
In view of the deadlines imposed by the Commercial Companies Code and the Securities Market Code, only after the new governing bodies of the club have taken office can a General Meeting of shareholders be scheduled, 21 days in advance. minimum, for the investiture of the new composition of SAD, which has under its jurisdiction the administration of ‘blue and white’ professional football.
“I appeal to the common sense of the FC Porto SAD administration. Your renunciation would never be considered an act of escape, but as a noble act that would elevate you. The club does not have two presidents. It has a single president elected by the express will of the members in a change. Delaying the inevitable is postponing the construction of a stronger club and I am sure that this is what your excellences want”, defended André Villas-Boas.
