The promise that never came true, the brotherhood with Jovan and the admiration for Coates: Ivanildo Fernandes tells all – Sporting

Former Sporting midfielder in an interview with Record

So – I’ve been linked with Sporting for 8 years. When I left I was a bit sad because I didn’t achieve that goal, to be quite honest. I thought that one day I would make my debut with the main team. I didn’t get that chance… In the future, if things go well, I think I can still achieve that goal. If the door remains open? Clear!

A – In 2017 he was close to joining when he was called up by Jorge Jesus for a match against Famalicao. Is there a bitter taste in your mouth?

If – he stayed, but he knew it would be hard to get in. It was a step forward I took. I was close to achieving that goal, and obviously I was a little disappointed that I didn’t achieve it, but I don’t hold any grudges. It just didn’t happen.

A – At that time, he was called up to train the “A” team several times, how was it working with Mr. Jesus?

So – I still have a hard time! (laughs) But I learned a lot. I have one that I will never forget, and that was when it clicked. He was captain of Team B and he often went to Team A to train. There was a situation in a match where I defended badly and the coach said to me: “Fogo, do you think this is the second team where you play 10 games an hour and you are a professional player… This is for work!” For me, I knew that I was comfortable in Team A, but in Team A I had to work twice as hard as my teammates to be part of the team. Mr. Jesus is very demanding, especially with the defense. He is an excellent coach.

A – Years later, in 2019, he joined the pre-season with Marcel Keizer. At the beginning of the work did you feel that this would be a great opportunity or did you know in advance that it would be difficult to stay in the team?

So – that year I thought I was going to be a starter on the main team. I really thought, in my heart, that I was going to be. So much so that they told me that at the time. But it’s water under the bridge… What’s behind stays behind.

A – Looking back, were there any regrets or hurt feelings?

If – no, because I was very happy at Sporting. I took it off in the final stages. I made friends with great players and great coaches. The only thing I would change is to be able to make my debut with the main team, but other than that I don’t regret anything.

R – Did you have a strong relationship with any player or coach?

So – I have a very strong relationship with Jovan. I can’t even consider him just a friend, he’s a brother. We talk almost every day, we support each other unconditionally. And Gerson Queiroz, I don’t know if he’s still the manager of the main team. He’s someone I keep in my heart, he’s helped me a lot at every stage at Sporting. We’re still in touch.

A – He has said on more than one occasion that he admires Coates. What makes him a different player from others?

So – he’s a reference. He helped me a lot in training, I learned a lot from him. He’s a strong central defender in the air. I also liked him a lot because of his calm relationship with the ball. Since I’ve always been a central defender who likes to have the ball, I really liked his calm. As a leader he’s an example. All the kids who go from the B team to the main team see him for what he is: a leader.

Written by Ricardo Granada