Federico Varandas in an interview with RTP. “It would be terrible to be compared to Pinto da Costa.”

Federico Varandas in an interview with RTP. “It would be terrible to be compared to Pinto da Costa.”

Watch the full interview with Federico Varandas on “Trio D'Ataque”


Federico Varandas started the interview by saying that he did for Sporting what needed to be done after Alcochetti. He added: “Today we are living in a phase that I have not witnessed in 45 years. In four years the club made a profit. We have recovered the club financially. We have invested and rehabilitated our heritage. We have the largest number of eligible paid members.



Leonin's president said that his team's work during six years had been very good, and recalled signing Nuno Santos from Rio Ave, at the time he became president of Alvalade, and talked about a long journey in signings.

About the arrival of Ruben AmorimFrederico Varandas He believes it was a “rational” decision and stated that the Portuguese coach is one of the best coaches in the world He pointed out that the coach did not hesitate to come to Alvalade when he liked the big names Leonardo Jardim, Abel Ferreira, Quique Setien or Unai Emery declined technical leadership. Black.

Varandas revealed that he has already been compared to Pinto da Costa, a comparison he says is difficult to overcome. “To me, this is fraud if it is not based on moral values. “It would be terrible if he were compared to this president.”

When asked if he would prefer to lose Ruben Amorim and Victor Geukeris, Frederico Varandas said he lives in the future and thinks about the pieces that have to come in when others leave. “I wonder how one of the best coaches in the world has been at Sporting for five years?”

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About the Swedish striker The Leo boss believes that it will be very difficult for Gyokeres to leave during the winter market Asked about Hugo Viana, Varandas declared that he “deserves everything, personally and professionally.” Manchester City's signing is a result of the way Sporting are viewed abroad.
“This is the level of excellence with which Sporting is seen abroad.”

Federico Varandas says he lives from the future and from what he controls, without giving an answer as to whether he would be able to convince Ruben Amorim to stay at Alvalade if he had offers from abroad.

The Sporting president stressed that despite the changes in structure, the results will be the same. About the fans, Frederico Varandas stressed that he is not interested in the relationship that binds him, but rather in the relationship that the fans have with the fans of Sporting..

“Transfer” Benfica

Benfica Football Club and Luis Felipe Vieira were charged with sports corruption this week Federico Varandas says he doesn't have “much confidence” in Benfica's commentary based on what he knows about Portuguese football..

“Regardless of the decision, it cannot be denied that the stigma is there and this is another sign, another confirmation of what we can call the second dark period of Portuguese football.”


After Federico Varandas recalled the 'Golden Whistle', he believes the Miles case is another dark period in football in Portugal.

“There is no need to be afraid because these two periods have two sides: Pinto da Costa and Luis Felipe Vieira. In fact, I think these cases prove all the bad practices and lack of ethics in recent years. “There is a lot of personal blame for Sporting's failure.”

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Sporting president accuses the match of being “rigged” It was difficult for Alvalade to win and he talked about “moving” Benfica.

“Binto da Costa had his entire network, his entire structure set up, and Luis Felipe Vieira, who was probably tired of investing and not being able to win, executed a transfer to Benfica where he is looking for people that everyone knows.”

And so he started talking about the role of Paulo Gonçalves. “He was part of the FC Porto community. It is interesting that he went to Boavista when he was champion. It is interesting that he leaves Boavista when Boavista breaks up in the case of 'Abeto Dorado' and passes through the raindrops and Vieira goes to pick him up”.


He demands justice and mathematical truth, despite his doubts about what it will give him Mail status. He stressed that the matter would become a “fraud” if Sporting was linked to sports corruption cases, as happened with its competitors.
Villas-Boas' arrival at Porto seen with 'good eyes'In April, André Villas-Boas won the election against Pinto da Costa, becoming president of FC Porto. Federico Varandas stated that he welcomed the arrival of Villas-Boas and that he has brought good things to Portuguese football.

“Values ​​are the foundation of our success. For us, dignity, integrity and sportsmanship are above any title.”

The Sporting president spoke of a dark period at Sporting as well. In reference to Bruno de Carvalho's presidency, Alvalade's club was not exempt from having less good moments either.

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Finally, Federico Varandas spoke about European competitions, and stated that he does not think so Sporting can win the Champions League because of Portugal's size in European football.

“Everything had to go amazingly well and our competitors had to be wildly incompetent.”He concluded.

By Melody Gross

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