June 7, (THEWILL)- Portuguese giants FC Porto have appointed Vitor Bruno as their new manager on a two-year contract through 2026. The 41-year-old replaces the outgoing Sergio Conceicao, who departed after seven trophy-laden seasons at the helm.
Bruno had been an assistant to Conceicao since 2017 and was part of the backroom staff that led Porto to 11 trophies, including last month’s Portuguese Cup triumph. Despite the success, Conceicao’s exit followed a disappointing 2023/2024 campaign that saw Porto finish 18 points adrift of champions Sporting Lisbon in third place.
At his unveiling, Bruno vowed to restore Porto’s dominance, stating: “We’ll be unbeatable in terms of character, ambition, passion for our work and embodying the spirit of FC Porto’s members and fans. I know it’s a difficult mission, but it’s one I want to live and I really want to win.”
This represents Bruno’s first role as a head coach after previous stints as an assistant at Braga, Guimaraes and French club Nantes. His appointment comes after Andre Villas-Boas’ recent election as Porto’s new president precipitated Conceicao’s departure despite a contract extension.
Bruno faces a sizeable challenge in returning Porto to the summit of Portuguese football. Nevertheless, with his intimate knowledge of the club, he will aim to swiftly impose his authority.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
