António Miguel Cardoso, president of Vitória SC, held a press conference this Wednesday to announce the departure of Álvaro Pacheco from the technical command, after having accepted his resignation request, immediately presenting the entire line of events from recent weeks that led to the disassociation between both parties.

"One match before the end of the championship, this is the opportune moment to clarify all the facts to the Vitória fans that have involved the relationship between Álvaro Pacheco and Vitória for the last three rounds. It is the right time to do so because, on the past 27th of April, after the home match against Boavista (1-0), Vitória had legitimate aspirations to rise to the top spots of the standings, which demanded total dedication from all those involved, with exclusive focus on the last three matches of the championship. For that, it was necessary that the serious problems that we faced on the 29th of April [Álvaro Pacheco's lunch with those responsible for Cuiabá] be dealt with in a sensible manner so as not to destabilize the team, focused on its objectives. Surely the most passionate Vitória fans will agree that, considering the facts that will be reported, this is the moment to speak", he began by saying.

"On the 28th of April, the president of Vitória was contacted by a representative of Álvaro Pacheco, who wanted to meet with a Brazilian club. The president did not oppose, but on the condition that it happen in a discreet and totally confidential manner, a condition that he made very clear. Immediately after that conversation, the president received a call from coach Álvaro Pacheco to thank him for not having opposed the holding of said meeting, making it clear that it would be a discreet and confidential meeting. They never informed the day and place where they would meet, in the meantime Vitória had scheduled an event for the 29th of April, with the participation of players, coach and members of the technical department, with the objective of strengthening relations", he mentioned next.

"Surprisingly, the coach missed that event without informing any Vitória official. As far as we know, he only informed one of Vitória's captains of his absence, alleging personal reasons. On the morning of the 30th of April, the players are confronted with an image on social media, with a comment referring to whether the coach would resist the Brazilian call. Immediately, the president of Vitória called the coach's representative, reporting the seriousness of that situation and his displeasure with the complete disrespect for the aforementioned conditions. Given that, coach Álvaro Pacheco had to clarify whether he was willing to remain as Vitória's coach until the end of next season or whether he wanted to disassociate himself immediately. The answer was that the intention was to leave Vitória at the end of this season. As the 30th of April progressed, the president was informed that coach Álvaro Pacheco had approached assistants, including those from the structure, before joining the club, to follow him in this adventure", he continued.

"Vitória also became aware that Álvaro Pacheco had held several meetings with the same Brazilian club, via videoconference, without informing those responsible at Vitória. Yesterday, the president of Vitória SC was contacted by Álvaro Pacheco's representative, informing him that the coach was presenting his resignation with immediate effect. Given the circumstances, it was accepted. The last match of the championship will be embraced by Rui Cunha together with other in-house coaches, who immediately assumed those responsibilities. These are the facts. Vitória fans will form their conclusions about them. Lastly, we cannot fail to recall the following. At Vitória, we are all dispensable. We all have the obligation to defend and safeguard the interest of the emblem, which we must honor and protect", he concluded.

After reading the statement to the journalists, António Miguel Cardoso was confronted with the alleged interest in Rui Borges to succeed the 52-year-old coach, as well as whether his departure would happen at zero cost, something that the maximum leader of the Guimarães team did not hesitate to answer.

"Yes, the coach is leaving at zero cost because we, given these facts, three days before the last match of the season, cannot remain hostage to a situation like this. Vitória has to plan next season. Therefore, it was always our concern to have that concern, with someone at the helm who is concerned with the emblem. We realized that it would not be possible with Álvaro Pacheco. We reached a situation where we had no other choice. Is Rui Borges the next target? Obviously we are following the market. It will be something discussed starting next week, given that this week we still have an important match, with a great desire to play a great match in Arouca", he said.

Álvaro Pacheco saw the process of his move to Brazil accelerate in recent hours and appeared at the Guimarães academy only to say goodbye, this Wednesday, two weeks after having refused to leave for Cuiabá before the end of the season, at a lunch in Lisbon that generated so much controversy within Guimarães,

Recall that the coach who stood out at Vizela arrived at Vitória SC last October to take the place left by Paulo Turra, in a season in which Moreno Teixeira and João Aroso had coached the team in the first and second rounds of the I League (with a European elimination in between).

Álvaro Pacheco led his team to the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup, where they were stopped by FC Porto, and still maintained the expectation of fighting for the podium, although the defeat in the Minho derby, against Sporting de Braga (2-3), last Saturday, left Guimarães with no chance of going beyond fifth place, for access to the Europa Conference League.

[News updated at 12:33 p.m.]

Also Read: Official: Vitória SC accepts Álvaro Pacheco's resignation request (Portuguese version)

Also Read: Álvaro Pacheco leaving Vitória SC before the end of the season (Portuguese version)