Nuno Dias on Sporting Exit: Only a Big Arab Offer Will Move Him

Sporting futsal coach Nuno Dias revealed on Monday that only an astronomical financial offer from the Middle East would convince him to leave the club where he has spent more than a decade and won 34 trophies.

Speaking to the Antena 1 podcast Hora Bolas, Nuno Dias outlined his conditions for a departure, as reported by A Bola. The coach stated he would only pack his bags “if the Arabs arrive with the treasure chest”.

“It would really have to be for millions,” Nuno Dias told Antena 1. “If it’s for a little bit more, I’m not interested. I’m in a place where they like me and treat me well. It’s such a big club. What would motivate me to leave?”

Having led Sporting’s futsal section since the 2012-13 season, Nuno Dias holds 34 titles, including three UEFA Futsal Champions League trophies. He said that while Spain boasts a more competitive league with packed pavilions, he would not leave for a Spanish club unless it matched Sporting’s immense stature, pointing to Barcelona as the only comparable side.

He added that unlike football, futsal managers do not earn massive sums, making a move illogical without a major financial package. The 53-year-old manager, who previously won the best coach in the world award and attended the FPF Portugal Football Globes gala in Oeiras on Monday night, said he would not leave for clubs like El Pozo or Cartagena.

During the same podcast appearance, Nuno Dias shared a childhood allegiance to FC Porto, a revelation also highlighted by Record and Flashscore.pt. He explained that his older brother always claimed Sporting when the two played Subbuteo, leaving him with the blue figures. He also mentioned that his family members are all supporters of Sporting.

“My older brother always chose Sporting to play Subbuteo and I had to keep the other pieces, which were the blue ones, so I was from FC Porto,” Nuno Dias said, as reported by SAPO. “I want Sporting to win always.” “In every game and in all modalities.”

The coach also discussed the rivalry with Benfica, describing a fixture between Sporting and Benfica as the best derby in the world, carrying a unique emotional weight that applies even to a snooker match. Regarding Benfica’s recent back-to-back league titles, Nuno Dias pointed to strong financial investment in the squad over recent years alongside the competence of coach Cassiano Klein in managing the team.

The coach also addressed the physical condition of star player Zicky Té, who remains sidelined with an injury until January. Nuno Dias described the issue as somewhat degenerative, requiring careful physical management so the player can perform during high-stakes fixtures, noting that he believes the player will never be someone who can handle 50 matches in a single season.

Nuno Dias has managed the Sporting futsal team for more than a decade, taking charge ahead of the 2012-13 season.

The manager has secured 34 trophies during his tenure in Alvalade, including three UEFA Futsal Champions League titles.

He supported FC Porto because his older brother always claimed Sporting when the siblings played Subbuteo tabletop football, forcing Nuno to play with the blue-kitted teams.