Oriental Lisbon - One Step Closer

Martins Wins Manager of the Year

O Jogo
Oriental manager Vitor Martins has been voted by fellow managers around Portugal as the Liga Zon Sagres' manager of the year, after he led his newly-promoted Oriental side to ninth place in their debut top flight season.

Benfica manager André Villas-Boas collected second prize, narrowly edging out FC Porto's Paulo Fonseca. Martins expressed his delight with the award but says that he won't stop there, and is determined to take on another few seasons at his current employees.

"Of course I am delighted to have won this award, and I am happy that my efforts have been recognised," said the 41-year old. "But it will not stop here. I want to retain that focus and continue to build this club."

Martins' future was uncertain during the process of a board takeover at his club Oriental Lisbon but new chairman André Silva confirmed that he would not be removing the Setúbal-born manager, who has won two titles in his time at the club.

Martins himself is being linked with jobs in Portugal, most recently the now vacant Olhanense post, which has been freed up only a day ago. Doubts remain as to whether Martins would be able to leave for arguably a relegation rival, but the rumours still swirl.

Congrats! Fully deserved!

Good Job Man, You Deserved It

Congrats, Senhor Martins!

Josh, Snap, P-KIDDY Thank you all

Congratulations Walt, what a marvelous way to cap a great season!

Well done Walter, tremendous effort to win that award!

Congrats on your award! You deserve it

Congrats for the award mate! You deserve it!

Feliks, Griffo, pokarioboy, AAN Thank you guys

A Silva Lining

After long drawn out attempts by José Manuel Lopes de Castro, former chairman of Varzim, to take over Lisbon club Oriental, the club has finally found a new chairman in André Silva, who takes over from José Fernando Nabais.

Silva arrives with not much experience to his name, having never been in control of a football club in the chairman capacity. He's known locally in the Lisbon region and is a businessman.

Vitor Martins will be retaining his job at the club and is said to have sat down to have discussions with his new boss, the two reportedly in conversation about next season's targets and transfer budgets and targets.

Silva proudly displayed himself for pictures outside the club stadium and promised a forward thinking approach and ambition that he felt the club had lacked in previous seasons.

"No disrespect to José [Nabais], but it almost seemed like for a while he just wanted out," Silva told the Portuguese Football Gazette. "I'm now in charge and ready to bring ambition and stability that has probably been lacking in the past season. This is no swipe at José, however, as he has put this club in an excellent position to build from."

Alongside himself, Silva has brought in a board of directors, with Daniel Freitas expected to handle most things internally, including board requests, transfer budgets and a range of other things, whilst Silva will work on things outside the football pitch.

"I'm glad the takeover is done and we can get on to business," said Vitor Martins, "And I also look forward to working with André. He's forward thinking and ambitious."

Congrats on the new chairman! And that pun do....

FINALLY!

I see what you meant about the pun, Walter.