Conceicao signs an extension with Porto until 2024

Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa

, the

president, made a joke that

Sergio Conceicao

“got to know Europe” before putting pen to paper for an extension as rumors surrounding his future came to an end on Saturday.

The 46-year-old signed a contract with the Portuguese giants that will keep him until 2024. The Portuguese tactician’s contract ran out after four years with Porto and he delivered two Primeira Liga titles during that time.

Since Conceicao’s future was up in the air, many Serie A clubs, including Lazio, Parma and Inter, were interested in acquiring his services.

However, Conceicao is staying still in Porto, having reached an agreement with the club.

"

Up until five minutes before it was announced, they were talking on television that it was very difficult for Sergio Conceicao to continue at FC Porto,"

the president said.

"It was good that we didn't sign immediately, so he got to know Europe... Naples, Rome, Seville or Madrid.

"On May 24, they said that Sergio Conceicao was going to announce to the president that he was not going to continue. They were right, they just didn't get the year right.

"It will be May 24 but many years from now. This is the moment of happiness for both of us."

Whereas Porto were defeated by Sporting CP in 2020-21 and couldn’t grab the title, they have earned 14 more points than other Primeira Liga sides when Conceicao was in his tenure.

"

I don't know how much [Benfica coach] Jorge Jesus earns and I don't care,"

Pinto da Costa said.

"But if there is a coach who hasn't renewed for money, that coach is Sergio Conceicao. He won't receive one more euro than he received in the previous contract.

"There was an intention to denigrate the image and to pass on the image that he was staying because we satisfied his [financial] wishes. It's a lie.

"He doesn't get paid because we didn't [offer more]; he doesn't get paid because that was never the subject."

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