The down-to-earth philosophy comes from Pereira’s upbringing.
Rising up on the coast in Espinho, 10 miles south of Porto, he remembers the cruel circumstances he endured which have formed him.
“It was a really humble village with fishermen and we grew up on the road,” he stated.
“Combating collectively, combating for the house. Competing and combating. However that is what I’ve inside me. That is the ability.
“My home was 50 metres from the seaside. On the time my father did not have cash so we lived ‘underground’.
“The ocean, within the winter, got here robust, with out limitations. Each winter, for 3 months, there was water inside. We needed to rebuild the home. Each time there was water within the partitions and a foul scent. I felt ashamed as a result of my garments smelled.
“You felt moist each time, that was our life.
“[Yet] I used to be a really completely satisfied teenager on the time as a result of in this type of group we have now the assured guys collectively. After I look again, this energy I really feel inside me got here from this time.”
His enjoying profession, Pereira readily admits, was underwhelming. He performed as a midfielder for lesser-known Portuguese golf equipment Avanca, Oliveirense, Esmoriz, Estarreja, Fiaes and Sao Joao de Ver and retired at 28.
But it was sufficient to assist put him by a sports activities course on the College of Porto, as he completed second in his class whereas finishing his teaching {qualifications}.
“I had a profession, it was within the third division in Portugal however I bought the cash to do my course, to go to the college, to purchase my automotive, to purchase my garments,” he stated.
“Since I used to be 16 years-old, I by no means requested for one euro from my mother and father. After 16, small jobs, to get cash, to go to the discos.
“On Saturdays, I used to be a lifeguard on the seaside. They paid me some huge cash. I noticed the solar and I saved folks.
“I used to be 18 and 19 at the moment – no worries. I went to the college. I did some small jobs to get some cash and I began to avoid wasting. I am now 56. However my sons will spend the cash, don’t be concerned!”
His three sons are all of their 20s and Pereira, who at all times felt being a coach was his calling, doesn’t need – or anticipate – them to observe him into soccer.
“The sacrifices it’s important to make. I do not need this life for my sons,” he says.
“They can’t have a household life on this job. It is unattainable. Now we have a number of moments the place we undergo rather a lot and alone. I believe we’re at all times in a pre-depression.
“For me, the competitors is sort of a drug. Ardour and a drug. I can’t dwell with out it as a result of after one month I begin to be nervous. I can’t get pleasure from nothing.”
