Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa

Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, pron. IPA: ['ʒɾɾʒ(ɨ) 'nunu 'pĩtu dɐ 'koʃtɐ], (born Porto, 28 December 1937) is the president of Portuguese sports club F.C. Porto.

Pinto da Costa is a charismatic and very successful leader, but also a polarizing figure of Portuguese football. He is hugely popular among the followers of F.C. Porto, which he led from being a provincial club to one of the top European clubs, being systematically reelected in landslides. A controversial personality, several allegations of corruption and underhand activities, culminating in the ongoing Apito Dourado investigation, may have contributed to his unpopularity outside F.C. Porto's universe.

His long stint as leader of FC Porto, and his deep knowledge of the inner works of Portuguese football earned him the nickname of the Pope (o Papa). He is also occasionally referred by his initials, PdC.

Early days - a rising path in FC Porto

Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa's managing career started as a manager in the club's boxing department, in the 60s, he would later became head of football during Chairman Pinto de Magalhães's reign. It was under his guidance that, in 1978, FC Porto broke their 19 year old title draught and won the league, with José Maria Pedroto as manager. 1979 would mark a 2nd title in a row for both men; Subsequently, though, after failing a 3rd title in a row, internal disputes in FC Porto led to their resignation.

Pinto da Costa and Pedroto, Chairman and Manager

Following severe internal disputes in Porto, Pinto da Costa was elected Chairman in early 1982 and chose Pedroto as manager. This reunited, remarkable partnership was to have a lasting effect on FC Porto. Pedroto was a visionary, a highly talented football player whose charisma as coach was unique.

Under Pedroto, in 1984, FC Porto reached its first European final. FC Porto bowed 2-1 to Juventus in Basel, in the Cup Winners' Cup final, in a match marred by controversial refereeing decisions. By then Pedroto was already ill, having been diagnosed with cancer. He would resign his duties and died shortly afterwards, in 1985.

European Champions

Artur Jorge was appointed as Pedroto's replacement, and European recognition would finally come under his spell. In 1987, Porto faced Bayern Munich for the European Cup final. At halftime, Bayern took a 1-0 lead. But the rookie Portuguese side would come back to claim a historic victory. Algerian Rabah Madjer scored with his heel to draw the match, and Juary later sealed the historic 2-1 win that ensured FC Porto the biggest feat of its near centenary history.

Years of domestic success - soccer

Domestic success continued to be a hallmark of FC Porto in subsequent years, and 1995-1999 became the highest note of Portuguese domestic competition ever. Following titles by Bobby Robson (1995 and 1996) and António Oliveira (1997 and 1998), Fernando Santos captured a record-setting 5th consecutive title in 1999. Porto later achieved 2nd place in the championship but won the 2000 and 2001 Portuguese Cups (whilst reaching the European Quarterfinals in both seasons) only to replace Fernando Santos with Octávio Machado. Octávio however only had a short stint at Porto. His replacement would be José Mourinho.

1999 Sweep

In the end of the 1998/99 season FCPorto swept the Portuguese professional sports by winning all the competiotions in which it had a professional team: soccer, handball, basketball and rink hockey. These sports constitute the most important team sports in Portugal, plus volleyball, which FCPorto has not had as a team for several years. It also won the swimming national championship which made a total of 5 championship titles in the same year. In Potugal was called the "double penta" making reference to the 5 consecutive championships in soccer.

The José Mourinho era

Mourinho joined Porto in January 2002, the club languishing in 5th place on the table. Mourinho would ensure a UEFA Cup berth for the following season, ending the league in 3rd. Summer of 2002 saw a lot of movement on the transfer market by Porto. The bets consisted mainly on Portuguese players playing in Portugal, yet to prove their true worth, as well as, for the most part, little known foreigners. It most certainly worked and such was Mourinho's impressive work in FC Porto that he managed to lead the club to two glorious seasons in 2003 and 2004, wrapping up consecutive Portuguese titles and a UEFA Cup and Champions League in succession. During this period Pinto da Costa remained somewhat on Mourinho's shadow and allowed him a very firm grip on all matters regarding football.

The post-Mourinho era

Victory in the Champions League final in 2004 meant that Mourinho left Porto, looking for another challenge in a bigger league. He was replaced by Luigi Del Neri, who only lasted 4 weeks on the job. In came Victor Fernandez, who qualified the club for the Champions League last 16 and won the Intercontinental Cup. He was sacked in late January 2005 following a home defeat to Sporting Braga which saw the club lose the championship lead. José Couceiro took over and led the club to a final standing of 2nd in the league. He subsequently resigned his post.

In late May 2005, Co Adriaanse, former coach of Willem II, Ajax Amsterdam and AZ Alkmaar, was designated as the new FC Porto coach.

Under his guidance, FC Porto has predominantly become an attacking team and the results have been mixed, solid performances mixed with severe defensive flaws. European results in particular were terrible and Porto suffered a humiliating exit from the UEFA Champions League in the groups stage.

However, Co Adriaanse still guided Porto to a domestic double, wrapping up the title with 2 games to spare and beating Vitória de Setúbal for the Cup final.

Adriaanse resigned in the pre-season to the 2006/7 season, due to internal disputes with the clubs board, and was subsequently replaced by ex-Benfica and Braga manager Jesualdo Ferreira, who had only just joined arch-rivals Boavista that season, and left without managing a single competitive match for Boavista.

Club performance

Under his presidency, FC Porto won several titles in all sports levels and activities:

Soccer (Professional):

• 15 National Championships (1984/85, 1985/86, 1987/88, 1989/90, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1994/95, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2006/07).
• 9 Cups of Portugal (1983/84, 1987/88, 1990/91, 1993/94, 1997/98, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2002/03, 2005/2006).
• 14 Supercups (1982/83, 1983/84, 1985/86, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1992/93, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1997/98, 1998/99, 2000/01, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06).
• 2 European Champions Cups (1986/87, 2003/04).
• 2 Intercontinental Cups (1986/87, 2003/2004).
• 1 European Supercup (1986/87).
• 1 UEFA Cup (2002/03).

Soccer (Juniors)

• 8 National Championships (1983/84, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1989/90, 1992/93, 1993/94, 1997/98, 2000/01).

Soccer (Juvenis)

• 9 National Championships (1981/82, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1987/88, 1988/89, 1994/95, 1997/98, 2001/02, 2002/03).

Soccer ("Iniciados")

• 6 Campeonatos nacionais (1985/86, 1989/90, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1999/00, 2001/02).

Soccer ("Infantis")

• 2 Taças nacionais (1987/88, 1992/93).

Hand-ball

• 4 National Championships (1998/99, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04).
• 1 League Cup (2003/04).
• 4 Supercup (1994/95, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2002/03).
• 1 Portuguese cup (1993/94).

Basketball

• 4 National Championships (1982/83, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1998/99).
• 7 Portuguese cup (1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88, 1990/91, 1996/97, 1998/99, 2003/04).
• 3 League cup (1999/00, 2001/02, 2003/04).
• 5 Supercup (1987/88, 1996/97, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2003/04).

Rink hockey

• 15 National Championships (1982/83, 1983/84, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06).
• 11 Portuguese cups (1982/83, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88, 1988/89, 1995/96, 1997/98, 1998/99, 2004/05, 2005/06).
• 14 Supercups (1983/84, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1995/96, 1997/98, 1998/99, 2004/05, 2005/06).
• 2 Champions league (1985/86, 1989/90).
• 2 Cup winners cup (1981/82, 1982/83).
• 2 CERS Cups (1993/94, 1995/96).
• 1 European Supercup (1986/87).

Volleyball

• 1 National Championship (1985/86).
• 2 Portuguese cups (1986/87, 1987/88).

Billiards

• 9 National Championships (1982/83, 1983/84, 1987/88, 1992/93, 1993/94, 1996/97, 1999/2000, 2001/02, 2002/03).

Billiards - Pool

• 3 National Championships (2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03).

Boxing Senior "consagrados"

• 7 National Championships (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2001, 2002).

Boxing Senior "iniciados"

• 5 National Championships (1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003).

Swimming - Male

• 8 National Championships (1983/84, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1987/88, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1998/99).

Swimming - Female

• 10 National Championships (1983/84, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1993/94, 1997/98, 1999/2000).

Weight lifting

• 2 National Championships (2002, 2003).

Track and Field - Men

• 1 National Championship (2001)
• 1 Portuguese cup (1993/94).

The "Apito Dourado" affair and other controversies

Pinto da Costa, is one of the people investigated by the police as part of the Apito Dourado (Golden Whistle) sports corruption scandal in Portuguese football.

Pinto da Costa was formally accused of corruption on tuesday, June 12th of 2007, along with Reinaldo Teles, another member of FC Porto's administration.

In December 2006 his former partner - Carolina Salgado, published the book Eu, Carolina ("I, Carolina") where she made serious accusations against Pinto da Costa (including match fixing, bribing referees with prostitutes and ordering the beating of Gondomar councilman Ricardo Bexiga). Pinto da Costa denied all the accusations made by the former partner Carolina and claims she tried to use the book to blackmail him.