The philosophy of down-to-earth comes from Pereira's upbringing.

He grew up in Espinho, 10 miles south of Porto, recalling the harsh conditions he endured that made him shape him.

"It's a very humble village with fishermen and we grew up on the streets," he said.

"Fight together, fight for space. Compete and fight. But that's what's inside me. This is power.

“My house was 50 meters from the beach. My dad didn’t have money at the time, so we stayed in ‘Underground’.

"In the winter, the sea becomes strong and there are no obstacles. Every winter, for three months, there is water inside. We have to rebuild the house. Every time there is water and the smell is not good on the walls.

“You feel wet every time, that’s our life.

"(But) I was a very happy teenager at the time because in this kind of community we had confidence. When I looked back, I felt that this power inside came from this time."

Pereira susceptibility admits that his career in history is incredible. He played the role of the little-known midfielder of Portugal Avanca, Oliveirense, Esmoriz, Estarreja, Fiaes and Sao Joao de Ver, and retired at the age of 28.

However, this was enough to help him take a physical education course at the University of Porto as he finished second in the class while completing his coaching qualification.

"My career was in the third division of Portugal, but I had the money to go to my courses, go to college, buy my car, buy clothes," he said.

“Since I was 16, I never asked for an euro from my parents. After I was 16, I made money from a small job, made money, and went to the disco.

"On Saturday, I was a lifeguard on the beach. They paid a lot. I saw the sun and I saved people.

"I was 18 and 19 at the time - no worries. I went to college. I did some small jobs to make money, and I started saving. I'm 56 now. But my son will spend money, no worries!"

His three sons are all in their 20s and Pereira always feels that he is a coach and is his call, not wanting or expecting - they follow him to participate in football.

He said: "You have to make a sacrifice. I don't want to do this life for my sons."

"They can't have family life in this job. It's impossible. We have a lot of moments we have suffered a lot. I think we've been before depression.

"To me, the game is like drugs. Passion and drugs. I can't do without it because a month later I start to feel nervous. I'm not enjoying anything."