Jorge Jesus says he has no regrets over his comments about discipline in the Portugal squad after Cristiano Ronaldo left the team’s training camp.
The Portugal manager was speaking after his side beat Denmark 4-2 on Thursday night in the third round of the Nations League group stage.
Jesus caused controversy before the match when he insisted that every player must follow the same rules, after telling Ronaldo he would not start against Denmark. Ronaldo subsequently departed the camp and, according to reports, is nearing an announcement on his international retirement.
“I can promise whatever I want. I am the coach,” Jesus said before the match. “I told the player he would not start and would be on the bench. If I need him for 30 minutes, he will play. If I do not need him, he will not play.
“No player will change my thinking – not him or anyone else in football. Not even any president. That will never happen.”
Asked after the victory whether he regretted those remarks, Jesus told reporters, as highlighted by Portuguese newspaper A Bola: “No, absolutely not. I do not regret it, and I still think in the same way.
“There are players who have a special status, that is completely clear, but I repeat that the rules are the same for everyone. I have always thought this way, and I must continue to think this way.”
Jesus rejects claims of fan unrest
Jesus also addressed reports that Portugal supporters had booed the team as it left the hotel and during the match.
“I did not hear any boos from the Portuguese fans, even though I was close to them,” he said. “I did not hear anything like that from the Portuguese.”
He added that maintaining the relationship between the team and its supporters was essential.
“The most important thing after a victory, and even when you do not win, is to respect the fans,” Jesus said. “That is necessary to maintain their connection with the national team.”
The manager also spoke about Portuguese supporters living abroad, saying their distance from home did not weaken their national identity.
“For the past six or seven years, I have been an expatriate,” he said. “When you live outside your country, you do not become less Portuguese; perhaps you feel an even greater sense of belonging.
“These people are connected to our flag and our country, and that must be appreciated.”
‘I celebrated with Ronaldo and the drum’
Jesus explained that his decision to move towards the supporters during celebrations was not unusual and was something he had done with previous clubs.
“If you look at my coaching career, you will see that I did the same thing with other teams,” he said. “At Al Nassr, I did it too. When we won, I played the drum with Cristiano.”
He was referring to the celebrations regularly held by Al Nassr players after victories, with Ronaldo leading the festivities alongside the supporters since joining the club.
“My relationship with the fans is extremely close, but it is different when it concerns Portugal,” Jesus said.
He was pleased with the performance against Denmark, saying it demonstrated Portugal’s quality, maturity and ability to play with clear ideas while taking risks.
“I believe you, the journalists, are very happy because Portugal showed quality in its football, and because it is a mature team with clear ideas and the confidence to apply them on the pitch,” he said.
“That is a coach’s life: winning, victory. That is a coach’s life.”
