From non-league football to the Champions League: Porto boss aims to stun Manchester City

Francesco Farioli is about to lead Porto into his first Champions League match, against Manchester City at the Estadio do Dragao. The 37-year-old has travelled an unusual route to European football's biggest club competition, moving from non-league goalkeeper and coaching blogger in Italy to one of the game's most closely watched young managers.

“

I don't feel I could be in a better place.

Farioli began his managerial career in Turkey with Fatih Karagumruk and Alanyaspor in 2021. He was later linked with vacancies at Chelsea, Liverpool and Rangers, but chose to renew his contract at the time. "I don't feel I could be in a better place," he told BBC Sport. His decision also reflected the relationships he built at Porto, particularly with club president Andre Villas-Boas.

Another important influence was Roberto de Zerbi, now Tottenham's manager. De Zerbi brought Farioli into his backroom staff at Benevento in 2017 and later took him to Sassuolo. Farioli began as a goalkeeping coach before moving into management, then worked successfully at Nice and Ajax.

“

I am used to entering uncomfortable situations where there is a lack of direction and things are not in place.

His Ajax spell ended in disappointment when the club missed out on the Eredivisie title on the final day. A turbulent January transfer window had left him feeling the team had not been strengthened enough. Farioli said he had become accustomed to taking charge of difficult situations where direction was lacking. Porto, he felt, had experienced "the same pain" after finishing third before his arrival and shared "the same ambition to do something special."

“

the same pain

Porto won the Portuguese title last season and the Super Cup last month. As European champions under Jose Mourinho in 2004, they also bring substantial Champions League pedigree to the meeting with Enzo Maresca's City. Farioli's teams at Nice, Ajax and Porto produced the best domestic defensive records, but he rejects the label of defensive coach. "It's probably not one way or another but it is just about balancing the team," he said.

“

It's probably not one way or another but it is just about balancing the team.