Francesco Farioli is one of the fastest‑rising stars in coaching. The 37‑year‑old guided Porto to the Portuguese title last season and is now preparing to take charge of his first Champions League match as a manager, facing Manchester City at the Estádio do Dragão on Tuesday.
Leading a side in Europe’s premier competition might still feel a long way off for Farioli, who was linked with the vacancies at Chelsea, Liverpool and Rangers last season.
However, Farioli, who began his managerial career in Turkey in 2021 with Fatih Karagümrük and later Alanyaspor, chose to renew his contract instead and is confident he made the right decision.
"I don't feel I could be in a better place," he told BBC Sport.
"I said at our post‑season dinner they have created a role for me, as I will have to bring the president and directors with me."
A key factor keeping him at Porto is his relationship with club president André Villas‑Boas, the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager.
Another important figure in his story is current Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who appointed Farioli – a former non‑league goalkeeper in Italy and a blogger on the Wyscout coaching platform – to his backroom staff at Benevento in 2017 and later brought him to Sassuolo.
Initially a goalkeeping coach, Farioli moved into broader responsibilities in Turkey before enjoying successful spells at Nice in France and Dutch club Ajax.
His time at Ajax, however, ended in disappointment, with the team missing out on the Eredivisie title on the final day. That followed a turbulent January transfer window during which he felt the squad had not been strengthened enough.
The season before his arrival, Ajax had briefly been involved in a relegation battle.
"I am used to entering uncomfortable situations where there is simply a lack of focus and things are not in place," Farioli said.
"I was looking for a club with a similar spirit, not for revenge, but one that wanted to get things right."
He said Porto had experienced the "same pain" after finishing third before his arrival and shared "the same ambition to do something special."
After meeting Villas‑Boas in the Italian city of Como before accepting the job, Farioli was reassured to find the club’s vision aligned with his own.
Porto won the Portuguese Super Cup last period and will aim to cause an upset against Enzo Maresca’s City. As former European champions who lifted the trophy under José Mourinho in 2004, they possess considerable Champions League pedigree.
Sincity Press Staff
3 hours ago 3 min read
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