Del Neri leaves Porto
Saturday, August 7, 2004
Article summary
Luigi Del Neri has left European champions FC Porto having not coached a single competitive game.
Article body
UEFA Champions League holders FC Porto have parted company with coach Luigi Del Neri following an emergency board meeting which concluded at 3am local time today. The Italian was only appointed in June and did not take charge of the Portuguese title-holders in a competitive match.
Three-year contract
Porto president Pinto da Costa appointed the 53-year-old as a replacement for José Mourinho following his departure to Chelsea FC. Del Neri was awarded a three-year contract having impressed Da Costa with his management of AC Chievo Verona, establishing them in Serie A after leading them out of Serie B and into Europe.
Emergency meeting
The Porto board gathered last night after Del Neri was absent from training on Friday, reportedly for missing a connecting flight to Porto in Madrid having flown into the Spanish capital from Milan. A club statement said Del Neri had left "for personal reasons".
US tour
Del Neri's assistant, Francesco Conti, and physical trainer Ugo Maranza will also leave the club. 'Gigi', as he is known in Italy, recently guided Porto to a 1-0 victory against Liverpool FC and a 2-1 defeat by Galatasaray SK in the United States.
New season
Porto's defence of the Portuguese SuperLiga is scheduled to begin on 29 August, and their Champions League group stage campaign starts in mid-September.
