"I am the best coach in Portugal, you will hear about me": Jorge Jesus, the explosive personality, as told by a former French player

Jorge Jesus, a figure who evokes strong reactions – a perceived traitor by some, a model of discipline by others – is the man who dared to confront Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo claims the new Portuguese national team coach betrayed his word. This unusual standoff doesn't surprise Damien Tixier. A former full-back who played for clubs like Lens, Le Havre, and Nantes, Tixier spent a season under Jesus's guidance at Leiria in the Portuguese top division in 2005-2006. He recalls this coach with a volcanic temperament but exceptional tactical skill with fondness.

First Impressions of Jorge Jesus

I had faced him a few times before he arrived at Leiria and had only heard good things. I was told he was a very, very good coach, but with a strong personality. That was quickly confirmed! When he signed with Leiria, he replaced a coach who had been sacked after just a month. We immediately understood who we were dealing with. His first speech was: 'I am the boss here. I'm telling you, I am the boss here. I am the best coach in Portugal. You'll see later, I will coach Benfica, Sporting, or Porto. You will hear about me.'

While there weren't any superstars on the team, there were certainly established players and undisputed starters in Portugal. Even I, having been in the league for a few years, was asked by him, 'What's your name?' That's Jorge Jesus for you. At that moment, he wanted to show us that he was in charge and didn't care about status. He wanted to challenge our egos and foster team unity.

The First Weeks Under His Guidance

Things were a bit challenging at first. He made many changes at the club. But we realized he was extremely skilled and would help us reach a new level. Tactically, he was exceptional. We hear a lot today about his personality, but we shouldn't forget he's a tactical mastermind. That season, we spent entire sessions working on specific aspects. He would step in, explain things, and was incredibly involved in training.

He could stop an exercise at any moment to tell a player, 'No, stop, that's useless, this is what you need to do.' Defensive corners, for instance, were crucial for him. I've seen tactics in his early matches with Portugal that we were already using back in 2005! We worked extensively on set pieces, high pressing, and offside traps. I remember meticulously planned drills every Thursday before matches.

Emphasis on Video Analysis

Absolutely. He paid attention to every detail. He could spend hours studying a player's style to then use videos to explain precisely how to counter that player. In France, I had coaches whose training sessions were always the same, not very advanced. It was nothing like Jesus, who demanded everything to be perfect.

His Management Style in the Dressing Room

He was very close to his players. He managed to get all of us on board. My personality means I've always appreciated coaches who were direct and honest with me. At RC Lens, I had Francis Gillot, who never told me anything. Even after a poor game, he couldn't give me feedback. It was unbelievable. Jorge Jesus, on the other hand, was straightforward with everyone in the dressing room.

The Volcanic Temperament

Yes, but it's because he's genuine. One day, playing against Sporting, I was at left-back with Nani in front of me – a tough opponent! Coach Jesus was right beside me. On the first contact, I won a header against Nani. Even though the match had just started, I saw the coach yelling like crazy, telling me it was good and to keep it up (laughs). Whether in training or during a match, he was completely immersed. He'd run left and right, living everything intensely.

For some, it was tiring. I saw him argue with players. And tactically, he demanded so much that it became exhausting for the players. I think that's also why he rarely stayed long at clubs. It's tough for a squad to maintain that rhythm. I also believe it's what prevented him from joining top European clubs. He's a polarizing figure.

A Remarkable Season for Leiria

We had a fantastic season, beating Benfica 3-1 at home – largely thanks to Jesus. Every day, he'd tell us: 'We don't need to fear anyone. Not Benfica, not Porto, not Sporting. They're just like us.' I remember legendary team talks. He made you want to go to war for him, and that's what we did. Subsequently, several players from the team signed for very good Portuguese clubs, and I was able to move to Lens. He helped us all improve, and before leaving the club (to join Belenenses), he insisted on treating the whole group to a meal. It might seem trivial, but for me, it says a lot about the man. He was the best coach I had in my career, alongside Artur Jorge at Coimbra.

Reflections on the Cristiano Ronaldo Situation

It's not entirely surprising. The Portuguese Football Federation knew they were taking a risk by appointing him as national coach. His personality is so fiery. I wouldn't go as far as to say he's arrogant, but he's close (smiles). Whether it's Cristiano Ronaldo or anyone else, he doesn't back down; he's always been like that. His ego is huge, and so is Ronaldo's. It saddens me because I love Ronaldo, but he needs to understand at 41 that it's okay to let younger players have a chance and that it's not the end of the world if he's on the bench sometimes. And at 72, I don't see Jesus compromising; he'll stick to his convictions.