3 June, 2010
Seven years. He remembered the day that he signed his first contract as Physio, when Mourinho took a chance on him, and it pulled off, Thiago being prominent in the Champions League winning squad. After that, he never looked back, managers changed and players came and went, but Thiago remained. He became experienced in tactics, and nurtured his knowledge in the club, meaning he became a good adviser to many coaches.
Now, he watched as another manager joined. It was a little different this time, though, as the new boss was André Villas-Boas. Thiago already knew him and was actually very good friends with him, they used to speak a lot when Mourinho in charge, André being his Assistant Manager at the time.
Thiago was watching the squad train as André arrived, only his second day on the job. He walked with a hint of urgency. He reached Thiago and grinned. "Thiago, I have considered my options, and, out of everyone at the club, you have the most knowledge and, I believe you are loyal, therefor, I would like to offer you possession of Assistant Head-Coach."
Thiago hesitated, grinning. "Really?" André nodded his head, returning the smile. "Of course, I want to do as much as I can for the club! Thanks." André shook his head. "No worries. You are doing this for me, not vice versa. Remember that."
Thiago looked over at the pitch, with an eyebrow raised. He looked at the squad, the team was practicing corners. He could see a spot in the box where there was a distinct lack of defense, yet every time, nobody exploited it. André glanced at it. "Go ahead." He said, clearly seeing Thiago's desire to correct the problem.
Thiago stepped forward, calling over Falcao. "Radamel. You see that gap in the defense?" He asked the forward, who replied with a nod. "Next time they cross goes there, dive in to it and get your head on it." He patted Falcao's back. "I can do that." The Colombian grinned and ran forward.
Falcao called for the ball as the corner taker stepped up, the ball was hit, it flew past a Porto players head and in to the gap, as Thiago expected. Sure enough, Falcao lunged forward, a second before hitting the floor his head perfectly met with the ball to propel it forward, a good meter away from the keeper in to the bottom right of the net.
Thiago smiled, turning to the manager. "You see." He walked back to the side of the pitch. "Simple things like that can win games. You made the right decision picking me. I'll pick that up every time." André merely looked back at the pitch to see almost a replica of the last goal, Falcao again planting a diving header in the back of the net.
"Not bad. Not bad at all."
CTFD PortoGaia, Porto, Porgual
Seven years. He remembered the day that he signed his first contract as Physio, when Mourinho took a chance on him, and it pulled off, Thiago being prominent in the Champions League winning squad. After that, he never looked back, managers changed and players came and went, but Thiago remained. He became experienced in tactics, and nurtured his knowledge in the club, meaning he became a good adviser to many coaches.
Now, he watched as another manager joined. It was a little different this time, though, as the new boss was André Villas-Boas. Thiago already knew him and was actually very good friends with him, they used to speak a lot when Mourinho in charge, André being his Assistant Manager at the time.
Thiago was watching the squad train as André arrived, only his second day on the job. He walked with a hint of urgency. He reached Thiago and grinned. "Thiago, I have considered my options, and, out of everyone at the club, you have the most knowledge and, I believe you are loyal, therefor, I would like to offer you possession of Assistant Head-Coach."
Thiago hesitated, grinning. "Really?" André nodded his head, returning the smile. "Of course, I want to do as much as I can for the club! Thanks." André shook his head. "No worries. You are doing this for me, not vice versa. Remember that."
Thiago looked over at the pitch, with an eyebrow raised. He looked at the squad, the team was practicing corners. He could see a spot in the box where there was a distinct lack of defense, yet every time, nobody exploited it. André glanced at it. "Go ahead." He said, clearly seeing Thiago's desire to correct the problem.
Thiago stepped forward, calling over Falcao. "Radamel. You see that gap in the defense?" He asked the forward, who replied with a nod. "Next time they cross goes there, dive in to it and get your head on it." He patted Falcao's back. "I can do that." The Colombian grinned and ran forward.
Falcao called for the ball as the corner taker stepped up, the ball was hit, it flew past a Porto players head and in to the gap, as Thiago expected. Sure enough, Falcao lunged forward, a second before hitting the floor his head perfectly met with the ball to propel it forward, a good meter away from the keeper in to the bottom right of the net.
Thiago smiled, turning to the manager. "You see." He walked back to the side of the pitch. "Simple things like that can win games. You made the right decision picking me. I'll pick that up every time." André merely looked back at the pitch to see almost a replica of the last goal, Falcao again planting a diving header in the back of the net.
"Not bad. Not bad at all."
Keep it up!
