Former Portugal, Porto manager Artur Jorge dies

BeSoccer 2 months ago 194 |

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Artur Jorge (L) had two spells in charge of PSG. AFP

Former Portugal and European Cup-winning Porto coach Artur Jorge has died aged 78, his family announced on Thursday.

Jorge led Porto to their maiden continental trophy with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the 1987 European Cup final in Vienna.

He also won seven Portuguese league titles, four as a player with Benfica and three as Porto boss, before leading Paris Saint-Germain to their second French top-flight triumph in 1994.

"It is with deep sadness that the family of Artur Jorge Braga de Melo Teixeira announces his death this morning in Lisbon following a long illness," his family said in a statement reported by Portuguese media.

Jorge, who came through the Porto youth system but only played a handful of games for the senior team, first became head coach of the club in 1984. He left following the European Cup triumph but returned for a second spell in 1989, winning a third league title at the helm.

"His death leaves Porto FC without a legend," said the club in a statement. Jorge had two stints in charge of the Portuguese national team, firstly from 1990-1991 while also Porto coach, and again from 1996-1997.

He was Switzerland boss for Euro 1996 and also coached the Cameroon national side but failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. Jorge will be fondly remembered in Paris, having led PSG to league and French Cup trophies after also enjoying a two-year stint in charge of Racing Paris.

"Artur Jorge is the greatest coach I have known," said former PSG president Michel Denisot. "Educated, cultured, passionate, strategic, uncompromising... with him PSG grew very quickly."

As a striker, he scored more 100 goals for Benfica as they won four league titles in five years in the early 1970s.