For only the eighth time in 34 years, Porto have parted company with a coach before the end of the season. To a list comprising Joaquim Jesus ‘Quinito’, Tomislav Ivić, Octávio Machado, Luigi Delneri, Victor Fernández, Co Adriaanse and Paulo Fonseca, add Julen Lopetegui after the former Spain Under-21 and U19 tactician left the club on Thursday.
The 49-year-old Basque had promised to revolutionise the side’s style of play but has gone after a year and a half in charge with Porto lying in third place, four points behind Liga leaders Sporting CP, and out of the UEFA Champions League. What were the issues behind his sudden departure?
Spanish v Portuguese style<...