dailyloe.com – Nuno Campos, the Portuguese head coach of ZTE, prepares for the Magyar Kupa final against Ferencváros at Puskás Arena. This match will mark Campos’ seventh final as a coach, player, and assistant.
Campos stated, “The players are the main actors; they are the most important.” He emphasized that small details can be crucial in knockout competitions. He considers himself a coach who pays attention to every detail.
In 1999, Campos played in a cup final with SC Campomaiorense, which lost to Beira Mar. He reflected on the significance of that day for the small club, which no longer exists, and its fans, despite the loss.
As an assistant coach, Campos enjoyed success alongside Paulo Fonseca at Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine and at Braga in Portugal. He highlighted that Shakhtar had not won a cup in two years before they won three consecutive titles.
At Braga, Campos celebrated winning the Portuguese Cup in 2016, which was a landmark achievement as the club had not won since 1966. He described the victory parade in an open-top bus as an unforgettable experience.
As a head coach, Campos faced Porto in a final with Tondela, marking Tondela’s first appearance in a cup final. Despite losing, he noted that fans celebrated them as winners.
Reflecting on ZTE’s journey to the cup final, Campos mentioned that few anticipated such a successful season back in August. He acknowledged the hard work that led to this opportunity, calling the cup final a significant moment for the team.
Many believe ZTE benefited from drawing lower-division opponents on the way to the final, contributing to their success.
