“Villas-Boas is growing; it could be a different Porto this year” says ex boss Vítor Pereira | OneFootball

Vítor Pereira has been speaking about his former club, FC Porto, as the Dragons continue to build for what they hope will be a much-improved campaign this season.

Under the presidency of André Villas-Boas, who promised big spending this summer, Porto have been very busy in strengthening the ranks. The likes of Victor Froholdt (€20m), Alberto Costa (€15m), Gabri Veiga (€15m) and Borja Sainz (€13m) have been added, with the club’s spending so far exceeding €75m, with further additions expected.

The outlay comes after a disappointing first term for Villas-Boas after winning the presidency from the late Pinto da Costa last April. The Dragons finished 3rd in the Primeira Liga, eleven points adrift of champions Sporting, while coach Martín Anselmi – Villas-Boas’ second hire as manager – was dismissed following the recent Club World Cup after just five months in charge.

Now, with Italian Francesco Farioli appointed, Porto are hoping to finally begin moving in the right direction. Speaking to O Jogo last week, current Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Pereira, who twice won the Portuguese title with the club in 2012 and 2013, believes Villas-Boas will continue to learn the ropes in his new role, ahead of his second season at the helm.

“André, from what I know, is an intelligent and prepared person,” Pereira said. “Of course, as a president, he has those growing pains. A coach doesn't become a coach all of a sudden, nor does a president become one all of a sudden; he grows. He will certainly grow over time.

“Last year was a very difficult year, a very difficult season. What I heard and read was that there were some financial problems. Now I'm seeing investment capacity, because FC Porto really needs to strengthen itself.

“It could be a different FC Porto. A coach with good ideas [Farioli] whom I know from Türkiye. When I was at Fenerbahçe, I believe he was at Alanyaspor. He's already done a great job, I really liked his work, I played against him, so it's an FC Porto that's preparing to compete with the others, I have no doubt.”