Former Charlton Athletic defender Jorge Costa has revealed he’d like to return to the club as a manager one day.
The former player gave a big interview to O Jogo for their Thursday edition, and despite talking mostly about Porto, he couldn’t hide how much he liked his short time at the London club.
Costa spent less than one season at Charlton Athletic, having arrived from Porto in 2001 and returning to the Portuguese club the year after, when he joined José Mourinho back in Portugal.
Giving a smile when called The Tank by O Jogo, just like the nickname the Charlton fans gave him, Costa said: “Training in England is the dream of those who love football, not because football there is better or worse than in other countries, but the atmosphere is creepy.“If I were to be put in front two offers, one from an English club and one from a French club, for example, regardless of the financial question, I would not hesitate: I choose England.”
The former defender still remembers the Charlton fans: “Charlton, despite not being the club I met as a footballer – the directors are others, but the fans are the same – of course it would be my pleasure.
“I spent fantastic moments in just six months, there was a surprising empathy for me, to the point where Charlton are forever in my heart, in a very special place, deep inside. You can’t compare what FC Porto represents to me, it was my life, but it’s in my heart. Maybe I will be back there someday.”
He also claimed that he’s not too concerned with having his next job in his home country: “I’m going to work in Portugal or anywhere in the world, in China, in Australia… I’m going to work wherever they want me.”
After retiring as a player, Costa was the manager of Braga, Olhanense, Académica, CFR Cluj, AEL Limassol, Anor. Famagusta, Paços Ferreira and Gabon. He left his last job in July 2014.
Charlton have just sacked Russel Slade and are currently without a manager.
