Nuno Campos, di Portuguese head coach of Zalaegerszegi TE, don ready for di Magyar Kupa final against Ferencváros. Dis one go be im seventh final as player, assistant coach and head coach. E yarn say: ‘Di players be di main actors, dem be di most important.’
Campos don experience final as player for 1999 with SC Campomaiorense for Portuguese Cup, but dem lose to Beira Mar. E remember say: ‘Campomaiorense na small club, e don close many years ago. Di region no support football. But despite di loss, we and di fans dey proud of our performance.’
As assistant coach to Paulo Fonseca, Campos win cup three times with Shakhtar Donetsk for Ukraine and once with Braga for Portugal. For Shakhtar, dem do double three times in a row. For Braga, dem win di Portuguese Cup for 2016, after di club no win any cup for 50 years. ‘Di celebration with open-top bus through di city na my most memorable cup success,’ e tok.
As head coach, Campos reach final with Tondela four years ago, but dem lose to Porto. ‘Tondela reach final for first time. We lose, but di fans still celebrate us as winners.’
Now e dey lead ZTE, di youngest average age team for European top flight. Di team don surprise many by reaching di final. ‘If someone tell me for August we go reach final, I no go believe. But we work hard and deserve am.’
Dem say ZTE get easy draw, but Campos disagree: ‘Vasas and Honvéd be NB I level. Cup matches dey tough, anyting fit happen. We concentrate and pass our tasks.’
For di final, Campos tell im players: ‘Dis fit be di only cup final for your career. Enjoy every moment and focus on your task. Forget wetin you no fit control.’
Ferencváros get more experience and money, but ZTE don beat dem twice for league dis season. ‘For final, we no fit rely on past matches. New day, new match, neutral ground. Tactics go be important, but early goal fit change everything.’
If ZTE win, e go be di biggest achievement for Campos career, alongside Braga cup. ‘Sensational result for di club, di city, di fans, and for me.’
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