By Glenn Mason
FC Porto's charismatic young coach André Villas Boas has committed his immediate future to the club after guiding them to Europa League glory.
The 33-year-old has become a target for big European clubs after leading Porto through the league season unbeaten, with the Portuguese Cup final still to come on Sunday.
Speaking after his side's 1-0 win over SC Braga at Lansdowne Road, Villas Boas said he wants to stay in Portugal and ply his attractive brand of football in the Champions League next season.
He said: 'I'm proud to have a high release clause. I am very happy in my home town. I want to build something I'm proud of.
'I'm just a gear in a very effective club with super talents. If you don't have good players then you are running into a wall. Porto are a well organised club that provide us with everything to be successful.
'Winning the Champions League is very difficult. It is not an aim that is reached easily.
'It is complicated to win the Champions League. It depends on the draw, the qualifying phase and luck. It is not always the best team that wins the Champions League. It is a difficult path.'
He also confirmed that he plans to spend just ten years in top level management before retiring to pursue his interest in motor sport.
Switching easily between Portuguese and English, Villas Boas paid tribute to his players and warned other clubs that Porto will fight to keep hold of their best talents.
Porto have slapped a release clause of €100m on Brazilian striker Hulk and it will take at least €30m to take his strike partner Falcao from the Estadio do Dragao.
'If any of these proposals come around it is really nothing new for us. The release clauses are very high because we like to protect them,' said Villas Boas.
'You can say it is a number that doesn't scare people, but there is not a lot of money around. Let's hope we can keep as many players as possible next year.
'What is happening is vital for this team. They have shown that they have talent. The players are extremely skilful. We have made progress gradually.
'Speculation is normal as Porto has had such an incredible year.'
The rise of Villas Boas through the coaching ranks has drawn comparisons with his former mentor Jose Mourinho, whom he worked under at Porto and Chelsea.
However, Villas Boas has earned plaudits for the style his teams adopt, which cannot always be said about Mourinho.
Although clearly delighted to have picked up Porto's fifth European trophy, he was disappointed that the 45,391 fans at the re-branded 'Dublin Arena' did not get to see a better game.
'People said we were favourites but it was proved today the quality of Braga. It is a pity it was not a good spectacle, but that is nothing new in European finals. Fortunately we scored before half-time,' he said.
'The spectacle was not up to Portuguese football standards. It is a pity today that both teams were unable to explain themselves to the fullest.'
Villas Boas' coaching career began when he wrote to Bobby Robson about the tactics he was employing as Porto coach.
Robson was impressed and brought the then 16-year-old into the Porto training camp as well as encouraging him to take a coaching course.
'I never had the chance to say farewell,' he said of the late Robson. 'He was very important in my life. I dedicate this [victory] to him and his wife Elsie.'
Meanwhile, match winner Falcao has also ruled out leaving Portugal in the summer.
'I want to carry my contract through to the end. I want to keep dreaming with Porto for the next two years,' he said.
The striker, who scored 17 goals in the Europa League this season, including seven headers, has been linked with several clubs across Europe.
However, he said his aim is to stay at Porto and help the club progress in the Champions League.
He said: 'I am thinking about Porto today. Of course one day I might play in another league. Of course there are expectations. But I want to take Porto to the Champions League next year.
'We have the Champions League next season so this is an aim for all of us. There is so much we still want to do.
'We are humble and worked hard for each other. We are cohesive. We have the same aims and want the same things.'
