'This victory is also theirs': Porto manager Farioli reflects on Ajax following league success

FC Portos 1-0 victory against Alverca on Saturday clinched their first Primeira Liga title in three years and marked Francesco Fariolis debut major honour as a coach.

In the post-match media session, abruptly ended when players doused their coach with a pair of ice buckets, Farioli paused to savour the delight of the championship.

"Its profoundly moving, I feel immense joy for all involved," Farioli expressed.

"For our team, for the staff here, for Jorge Costa, for the president (André Villas-Boas), for everyone present... They all earned a triumph such as this following years without one."

The club was devastated by the sudden death of technical director Jorge Costa last August. Farioli noted that Costa, who led FC Porto as captain to the 2004 UEFA Champions League victory, played a key role in securing this seasons crown.

"Jorge was our driving force this year. Among his final remarks was 'we have a team again', and the players battled to honour those words. We poured our utmost effort into it, from the leadership to the field; all aspects contributed. The recent crucial stops by Alberto (Costa) and Alan Varela carry Jorge's essence, which guided us all campaign long. Though absent in body, he lives on in our minds and hearts."

'This is a little bit for them'

Farioli faced a heartbreaking conclusion to his 2024-25 stint at Ajax, where they frittered away a substantial advantage in the closing stages and conceded the title by a single point to PSV on the last matchday. Showing clear emotion, Farioli expressed gratitude to supporters after a 2-0 defeat of FC Twente, before departing the team amicably the next day.

As he celebrated his initial trophy with Porto, Farioli recalled his Ajax chapter and time in Amsterdam.

"Football bestows and withdraws, I believe we accomplished something remarkable at Ajax, regrettably it concluded differently from our hopes," Farioli remarked, having been well-regarded among the Ajax players and still cherished there.

"I got numerous notes from last years squad members and the directors, and I feel a portion of this success belongs to them today."