On the eve of the FC Porto elections, perhaps the most decisive in recent decades, after more than 40 years of Pinto da Costa's near unanimity in the club's leadership, Desporto ao Minuto brings together the main ideas of the three presidential candidates.

Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, from List A, is running alongside André Villas-Boas (List B) and Nuno Lobo (List C). List D, headed by Miguel Brás da Cunha, is running only for the Superior Council.

The election will take place this Saturday, at the Estádio do Dragão, between 9:00 am and 8:00 pm, for FC Porto members who have been members for more than a year and whose dues are up to date. After 8:00 pm, only members who are in the voting line may exercise their right to vote. The purpose of this election is to elect the new social bodies for a four-year term.

According to the club's Electoral Regulations, members must present their respective legally valid identification document (physical or digital) at the polling station, as well as their Membership Card (also physical or digital). 

Pinto da Costa (List A)

List A, which represents Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, president for 42 years, announced five axes for the candidacy: Transparency and good governance; Sustainability and growth; Training and scouting; Women's football and sports; Experience and relationship with members and fans. 

Football: For Pinto da Costa, coach Sérgio Conceição is the big bet of his candidacy and he even made a point of renewing the contract with the coach for another four years, 48 hours before the election. He also activated the purchase clause for Francisco Conceição, for 10 million euros, and renewed with Pepe, team captain, this past week. Luís Gonçalves will remain as administrator for football.

Finances: List A made three proposals for the transparency and good governance of the club: The renewal of the club's management team, with the entry of "new elements with proven records in the private sector"; Regular disclosure of financial statements in a clear and understandable way and a broader Independent Audit Committee, with personalities from other lists.

In addition, the sustainability of the project is another concern. List A wants, in the short term, to "implement a cost reduction plan through the application of efficiency improvement policies". They promise to double revenue in three years, not pay management bonuses, reduce 20% of total costs from the first year and refinance liabilities. 

Sports: A topic that Pinto da Costa has been giving more importance to in recent months. He promises to study the creation of a futsal team, organically or through the acquisition of a club. In addition, the creation of a surfing team and the promise of a senior women's football team "that will fight for titles every season", already in the next term.

Academy: It has become one of the topics that separates Pinto da Costa's candidacy from Villas-Boas'. It is "one of the main priorities of this candidacy". The board has already purchased land in Maia and the works are underway, despite AVB's contestation. Pinto da Costa promised its completion by 2026. In this context, he also promises to implement a "holistic program of skills in young people, including physical, mental and emotional management aspects" and greater investment in the scouting department. 

Structure: Pinto da Costa presented some new names for his board, but kept his trust in men like Lourenço Pinto, candidate for President of the General Assembly or Vítor Baía, for one of the vice-presidents. Millionaire businessman João Rafael Koehler was invited to be vice-president, as well as Marta Massada. António Oliveira, former FC Porto coach and national coach, is a candidate for vice-president. José Fernando Figueiredo will be the successor to Fernando Gomes, administrator of the financial area since 2014.   

André Villas-Boas (List B)

The former FC Porto coach, 46, is running for president for the first time. He announced "ten commandments" of his program: Values, Victory, Innovation, Financial Health, Planning, FC Porto Foundation, Communication, Integrity, Sustainability, Ethics and Transparency.

Football: In this area, Villas-Boas tries to innovate with the arrival of Andoni Zubizarreta, former Barcelona player and former director of the Catalans and Marseille, where they crossed paths, for the position of sports director. He has been without a club since 2020. Jorge Costa, former FC Porto captain, will be the director for football. Villas-Boas has criticized the renewals of Sérgio and Francisco Conceição but, regarding the coach, AVB admitted that he wants to discuss with him and present his vision of the project if he is elected.

Finances: Villas-Boas has repeatedly criticized the club's financial management under Pinto da Costa's leadership. To deal with the large liabilities of the Portista SAD, Villas-Boas assured that he has agreements with three financial entities that would be willing to renegotiate the Portista debt. José Pedro Pereira da Costa, former NOS administrator, is a candidate for CFO. In a very detailed plan, he wants to implement rigorous management, enhance operating revenues and generate results through asset appreciation.

Sports: Villas-Boas spoke of creating a futsal team in the medium term, but promises to create futsal teams up to 12 years of age, in line with the football age groups. He also talks about the return of men's volleyball and 'Clube Ao Atletismo'. He is very critical of the fact that FC Porto still does no>