One thing André Villas-Boas certainly learned from his former mentor José Mourinho was the art of giving a good interview.
In a fascinating chat to Portuguese TV channel TVI in association with website Maisfutebol on Tuesday the former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham coach candidly gave his opinions on a range of topics including his past, present and future career.
PortuGOAL brings you a translation of the best bits.
On a potential return to Portugal:
"Somebody who departed prematurely, as happened for an array of different reasons, in a manner that was not well received by everyone, doesn't have the right to demand anything. But I feel that I will have a space reserved for me at FC Porto, in whatever position that may be. We will see. Without disrespecting other clubs, the only teams I would want to be head coach of in Portugal would be Académica and Porto."
On Sunday's Porto 0-2 Benfica clássico and Portuguese title race:
"In the first 25 minutes Porto were very strong, surprising Benfica who couldn't get into the game at that point. Benfica scored from the few chances they created so you can't say it was a just result.
"A 6-point deficit is always negative in a championship where recently the winners haven't lost a single game. It's difficult to make up. On the other hand Benfica don't have as stable an XI as before. They have a good eleven but not a good bench. I also think it's not an advantage being out of Europe. They will have to have a good reaction every weekend after a week of training.
"FC Porto can't slip up again and have to give a good response in the very next game, then think about 2015."
On Benfica coach Jorge Jesus:
"His quality and the quality of the football his teams play is recognised, even with teams that radically change year after year. He has internationally recognised merit and reached two finals of the Europa League. I have no idea if Jesus wants to coach abroad, but if he did so he would certainly have success."
On most impressive players in Portugal and if Zenit may "come shopping":
"Talisca is a player that left a strong mark on the start of the season for Benfica, and for Porto I have to highlight Danilo and Alex Sandro who have reached a level to get called up by Brazil and justified the club's big investment in them. It's almost impossible for Zenit to buy players in Portugal because of their high price and financial fair play."
On decision to accept Zenit job:
"The project presented to me in a low-profile but competitive league was interesting. My choice was also down to escaping the media glare, which was an important factor for me. I've had my fill of media sensationalism and false promises."
On Liverpool speculation:
"I'm not the least interested in this. Returning to England is definitely not in my plans. I had talks with Liverpool, a club I admire a lot, but like I said it's not in my plans, although life takes many turns. I liked coaching in England, it was a positive experience, but negative things also happened."
On any regrets about leaving Porto and time at Chelsea:
"I don't regret leaving one bit. I'm an emotive person and I took a conscious decision, I think it was the right decision. Of course we never know what will happen and what I found at Chelsea was not what I wanted. I arrived at a difficult time in the private life of the chairman, who was rarely present. This clearly had an effect. Then I was surprised and I am still surprised that the chairman's intentions changed. When I went there the idea was to rebuild the team."
On time at Tottenham:
"Tottenham set a points and victories record in my first season, and missed out on the Champions League by one point and had a great run in the Europa League. In the second season, at the time I left we had more points than in the previous season. I ended up leaving by mutual agreement - it wasn't a sacking - because I gave full support to the football director Franco Baldini who meanwhile had other ambitions, meaning that I ended up with players that did not fit the profile I wanted.
"The chairman proposed a challenge to increase Tottenham's competitive level, but immediately Modric left and we didn't get any of the targets I had identified, such as João Moutinho, Willian, Óscar or Leandro Damião. These were promises that were not kept. I had a group of players I had not chosen. In two years I lost Van der Vaart, Modric, Bale, and all the promises made were unfulfilled. In any event I don't look at my time at Tottenham as a negative experience. It was an experience I needed to have."
On relationship with José Mourinho:
"This question is always asked as if there was animosity between us. We were chatting just a while ago. There is a relationship of mutual respect and we can't forget our achievements together which left a big mark. Of course, when you become rivals friendships usually take second place. It's shouldn't happen but that's the way it is."
On the Ballon D'Or:
"I'm comfortable giving my honest opinion about this because there were years when I thought Messi was better. In the last two years Cristiano Ronaldo has shown a change in attitude and an unbelievable dedication to his profession, an incredible desire to win, but his quality is always brought into question in relation to his direct rival (Messi) and the opinion of people in top positions who should not opine about such sensitive issues. This year I believe Cristiano Ronaldo's domination has been absolute."
Abridged translation of interview on 16 December 2014 by Vítor Hugo Alvarenga. Link to interview in Portuguese.
