A legend of Portuguese football
Artur Jorge Braga de Melo Teixeira, known as Artur Jorge, was one of the great figures of Portuguese football. He stood out as a player in one of the most important teams in the country, Benfica. He was an accomplished goalscorer, but competition in his position and injuries prevented him from succeeding in the national selection.
An atypical coach
Artur Jorge not only stood out as a player, but also as a coach. He managed teams such as PSG, CSK Moscow, Tenerife and national teams such as Switzerland, Portugal and Cameroon. He was an atypical coach, as he was also known for his love of writing poetry after graduating in Germanic Philology from the University of Lisbon.
Successes and controversies
Artur Jorge’s career as a coach was full of successes and controversies. He won three leagues in his country, one in France and two cups in Portugal. But he also experienced complicated moments, such as his resignation during the qualifying phase of the 2006 World Cup with the Cameroon national team, denouncing interference in his duties.
The legacy of Artur Jorge
Artur Jorge left an important legacy in Portuguese football. He was the coach who made Porto European champions in 1987, in a memorable final against Bayern in Vienna. This was the Portuguese’s first European Cup before other managers like Mourinho lifted the title.
A memory forever
Artur Jorge Braga de Melo Teixeira, a legend of Portuguese football, died yesterday at the age of 78. His legacy as a player and coach will forever remain in the memory of football lovers.