Francisco Conceição, the Juventus winger, has enthusiastically endorsed the idea of his father, Sérgio Conceição, taking over as coach of the Italian club, calling it “perfect” and highlighting his father’s coaching prowess and influence on his own career.
Speaking to Italian newspaper Tuttosport, the 22-year-old Portuguese international praised his father, currently coaching Al Ittihad, as “a great coach.” He added, “I know his worth. I reached the National Team thanks to him. If I’m here, I owe it to him.”
Francisco detailed the rigor of being coached by his father at FC Porto. “He was very tough with me, especially off the field,” Conceição said. “He knows how important life off the pitch is. He helped me take care of my diet and recovery, he was a great example.”
The younger Conceição also shared insights from Cristiano Ronaldo, a former Juventus star, about the unique pressures of the club. “Cristiano tells me: ‘You are at a fantastic club, but when you don’t win, the pressure increases’,” he recounted.
Conceição, who has accumulated 653 minutes and scored two goals this season, acknowledged he still has much to prove. “I can give a lot more. I haven’t done what I’m capable of yet,” he stated.
He emphasized the importance of statistical output for top players. “Goals and assists make the difference between a good player and a top player. This is the path I want to follow, you can only be among the best if those numbers grow,” Conceição added.
Conceição joined Juventus permanently this summer, following spells at Portuguese clubs Sporting and FC Porto, which he called his “heart club.” He reflected on his past with a reference to a recent Champions League match where he was booed. “On Tuesday, they booed me because I played for FC Porto,” he noted.
Conceição briefly touched on his father’s coaching career, noting that his father had left a previous club last season. He clarified that he harbors no resentment towards AC Milan, stating, “I always cheer for my father, but what happened, happened. We need to move on.”