Porto FC head coach Vitor Bruno has invited Erik ten Hag to share a glass of wine after Thursday’s Europa League meeting as he offered his understanding to a fellow head coach under scrutiny.
Ten Hag’s position as United boss came under further pressure following a 3-0 home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, his side’s second successive Premier League loss at Old Trafford of such nature after September’s defeat to Liverpool.
Bruno, meanwhile, was the subject of messages written in black ink on the walls near the Dragao Stadium on Tuesday calling for his sacking and the return of former manager Sergio Conceicao. Newly elected Porto president Andre Villas-Boas promoted Bruno from assistant to head coach this summer following the long-serving Conceicao’s departure.
“I am too (under scrutiny),” Bruno interjected. “Everyone is.”
When asked if he had sympathy for the United manager, Bruno said: “I don’t know him, I haven’t met him yet but I’d love to. There is a coach in Portugal called Carlos Carvalhal, now he is in Braga. He worked in the Premier League and the Championship (with Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City). He said at the end of the match, they go together, drink a glass of wine.
“If Ten Hag wants tomorrow, the dressing room is open for him. A lot of respect. It’s our life. Mine also.
“I don’t know if you know all the news in Portugal but once you lose one match, you are almost dead.”
Porto host United at the Dragao Stadium in the second round of the Europa League ‘league phase’ on Thursday. Both teams are looking for their first win in the competition after United drew 1-1 with FC Twente at Old Trafford last week while Porto lost to 10-man Bodo/Glimt 3-2.
Despite winning just two of their last seven in all competitions, Bruno has maintained that Manchester United are always a “threat”.
Asked whether this is the best time to play United, Bruno said: “Exactly the opposite. We always see them as a threat, not as a good point to take them on. We just have to be ourselves and have to look at them with respect, a lot of respect, a lot of individuals, as a team also performing… I know what you mean talking about their last match, but we must see the old (results and performances), not (just) this one.”
A win for either side in the new look Europa League competition could prove crucial to progressing to the knockout stages.
(Miguel Riopa/AFP via Getty Images)
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