Pinto da Costa

Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa is the president of Portuguese club FC Porto.

Related Topics:
Portuguese - FC Porto

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Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, chairman and chief executive for FC Porto, is one of the most acclaimed chairmen in European football history.

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Having started as a manager in the club's rink hockey department, he later became head of football under Chairman Pinto de Magalhães. Under his guidance, and with José Maria Pedroto as manager, FC Porto were crowned Portuguese champions in 1978, after a 19 year title draught. They would follow that with the 1979 title. Subsequently, though, after failing a 3rd title in a row, internal disputes in FC Porto led to the resignation of both men.

Related Topics:
Pedroto - FC Porto

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In early 1982, however, Pinto da Costa was elected Chairman, his chosen manager Pedroto once again.

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This remarkable partnership was to have a lasting effect on FC Porto. Pedroto was a visionary, a highly talented football player turned charismatic coach.

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In 1984, FC Porto reached its first European final. With Pedroto on the bench, FC Porto bowed 2-1 to Juventus in Basel, in the Cup Winners' Cup final, in a match marred by controversial refereeing decisions.

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By then Pedroto was already ill, having been diagnosed with cancer. He would resign his duties and shortly afterwards, in 1985, he deceased.

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Artur Jorge had been appointed as his replacement, and European recognition would finally come under his spell. In 1987, Porto faced Bayern Munich for the European Cup final. Bayern took a halftime 1-0 lead. But the little known Portuguese side would come back to claim a historic comeback. Algerian Rabah Madjer (then regarded as the leading African footballer) produced a piece of magic, striking with his heel to draw the match, and Juary later sealed a 2-1 win, placing FC Porto in the pantheon of historic European clubs.

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Domestic success continued to be a hallmark of FC Porto in subsequent years, and 1995-1999 became the highest note of Portuguese domestic football competition ever. Following titles by Bobby Robson (1995 and 1996) and António Oliveira (1997 and 1998), Fernando Santos captured a 5th consecutive title in 1999, an unparalelled feat.

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Porto later won the 2000 and 2001 Portuguese Cups (whilst reaching the European Quarterfinals in both seasons) only to replace Fernando Santos with Octávio Machado. Octávio however only had a short stint at Porto. His replacement was José Mourinho.

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Mourinho led the club to two glorious seasons in 2003 and 2004, wrapping up consecutive Portuguese titles and a UEFA Cup and Champions League in succession. During this period Pinto da Costa remained somewhat on Mourinho's shadow and allowed him a very firm grip on all matters regarding football.

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Mourinho left Porto in May 2004, after winning the Champions League final. He was replaced by Luigi Del Neri, who only lasted 4 weeks on the job. In came Victor Fernandez, who qualified the club for the Champions League last 16 and won the Intercontinental Cup. He was sacked in late January 2005 following a home defeat to Sporting Braga which saw the club lose the championship lead. José Couceiro took over and led the club to a final standing of 2nd in the league. He subsequently resigned his post.

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In late May 2005, Co Adriaanse, former coach of Willem II, Ajax Amsterdam and AZ Alkmaar, was designated as the new FC Porto coach.

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