After 17 years at Benfica, where he helped develop talent and consolidate a playing identity, Filipe Coelho decided to leave his "comfort zone" and seek new challenges. His career took him to Estoril, where he won the Revelation League and the Revelation Cup, then to Chelsea and now to Strasbourg, where he is part of Gary O'Neil's coaching team.
In an exclusive chat with Flashscore, the Portuguese coach revisits his roots in Seixal, explains how his time with the Reds has moulded his vision of football, and heaps praise on Joao Neves, who he considers "perhaps the most eclectic talent" he has worked with.
From his stint in France to his dream of one day returning to Portugal as head coach, Filipe Coelho also talks about the value of Portuguese coaches abroad, the growth of Strasbourg and his ambition to win the Conference League.
You spent 17 years at Benfica. How did that period mould you, not just as a coach, but as a leader and a football man?
"I am who I am today essentially because of everything I experienced at Benfica. Obviously, it gave me a lot, but I also gave a lot to the people who crossed my path. It was all about growing together.
"A club like Benfica offers unique opportunities: good competitions, tournaments abroad, games against the best academies in the world. All this gives you a wealth of experience, a foundation and a background that can't always be measured on your CV."
You spent many years in Benfica's youth system. Did that time teach you more about winning or more about training?
"I learnt that if you train well, you're much closer to winning consistently. That's what I learnt. Today, when I see some projects, I identify a lot with those that manage to give it some time. Of course, time is relative: if there are no results, no amount of time will save anything.
"But there are projects that give you a little more leeway and, in the long term, you can see that sustainability. At Benfica, the pressure to win is always there, from the under-10s to the senior team.
"But I've learnt, above all, that by training well, with attention to detail, with attention to people, with content and high technical knowledge, we're much closer to victory."
You have worked with many talents in recent years. Is talent born or built every day?
"Talent is a starting point. There are players with more natural talent than others, but it's built every day. The competitive environment, the quality of training and the context we create can make it grow or hold it back. In this sense, the role of the coaches and staff is crucial.
"But talent exists on many levels. It's not all about technical refinement. There are players with the talent to work, to compete, to be part of a team and to bring out other skills.
"Teams aren't built with just one type of profile. They're made up of different characteristics, and knowing how to bring them together is a sign of a good structure and a good team."
Which players have surprised you the most along the way?
"It's easy to talk about him, because I've said it several times: Joao Neves was perhaps the most eclectic talent I've ever met. Eclectic because he can do practically everything at a sporting level.
"The experiences he's had, like playing ball on the beach in the Algarve, have given him an unusual technical background. Then he had the intelligence to adapt his physical structure to the game, which gave him enormous competitive ability.
"His passion, his intelligence and the way he lives his day-to-day life make him an example to everyone else. What he's achieving today doesn't surprise me."
At the time, was it possible to envisage what Joao Neves would become today?
"There are no crystal balls. Scouting and coaches do their best work, but there are no absolute certainties. In Joao Neves' case, because of his mental profile, his passion, his quality and his versatility, you could see a kid who didn't look at obstacles. He didn't see problems, he saw solutions.
"He was always very consistent throughout his training. There were never any big fluctuations in his performance, which is why there was a clear commitment to him. The main doubt for some might have been the physical issue and adapting to senior football.
"But I still believe that the brain is more important than the body. Even though he wasn't a tall player, Joao always had an impact at various moments of the game, even on set pieces, because of the way he could read the ball and his impetus.
"All this, combined with his family background, helped mould him into the player he is today. I worked with him at U14, U15 and U17 level, so I have a special affection for him. The humility he always showed was exemplary and his presence lifted the whole team."
After so many years in Benfica's youth system, you decided to leave your comfort zone in search of other stimuli, succeeding at Estoril, winning the Revelation League and the Revelation Cup, then leaving for Chelsea, and now you're at Strasbourg. Looking back, was it the best decision?
"Yes, you touched on an important point: the comfort zone. Being at Benfica for so many years forces you to constantly challenge yourself not to fall into it. It's a demanding environment, but it's also very rich, surrounded by competent people who grow every day.
"But I didn't want to be known only as a youth coach. I wanted to take another leap and Estoril came along at the right time. It gave me that opportunity and, at the same time, allowed me to win. We know that when you win, the coach is more valued, and the titles gave visibility to the work we did.
"Estoril had a very good competitive environment and I have great affection for the people and the club. That visibility then opened the door for me to lead the Under-21s at Chelsea.
"In the process, there was a great identification between my idea of the game and what they were looking for, very much along the lines of Enzo Maresca: building from the back, creating superiority and a strong presence in the final third. But I always like to emphasise that it wasn't just the way we played. It was also the way of being, the values and what I tried to pass on in terms of culture."
Another significant decision was the change from head coach to assistant coach, a role you currently fulfil. Did you feel you needed that experience to enrich your career?
"Absolutely. With the exception of my first spell at Benfica, when I was assistant to Renato Paiva and Luis Nascimento, I was always head coach. Over time I felt that it would be important to have an experience as an assistant, to zoom out, observe other leaders, other dynamics and enrich myself in another role.
"That's what I've been looking for, without ever losing sight of what I want for the future: to become head coach again. Although I feel I add value where I am, first with Liam Rosenior and now with Gary O'Neil, I have also confirmed that my vocation is to be a head coach. That's where I feel my passion and my path lie.
"At the same time, I'm doing very well in this context, learning from very competent people. And the fact that I've experienced two different leadership styles in one year has made the experience even more enriching."
Without detracting from the current situation and with the utmost respect for the club you're at, do you feel that if an invitation came along in the short or medium term to return to Portugal as head coach of a top-flight club, you'd be ready?
"Yes, I'm ready. Of course, there's the question of the UEFA Pro, which is the label needed to open certain doors. I don't need it to feel ready, but I recognise its importance in the current context.
"I don't want to take steps that force clubs to circumvent rules or pay fines. I want to respect that process and make the most of my time in the role I'm in. Returning to Portugal would always be something special. I'm not saying it's an absolute priority, because my priority is my family.
"Fortunately, home is where my family is and they've been with me every step of the way. Portugal is my country, my pride, and where it all began. If the right context arises, I feel more than ready to lead."
You've worked in England and France. How do you feel Portuguese coaches are perceived abroad?
"I was fortunate to realise at Chelsea that Jose Mourinho's name is still very much present. It was very much through him and his coaching team, also with the important impact of Rui Faria, that doors were opened for Portuguese coaches.
"After that, Portuguese coaches continued to show the ability and merit to be in these contexts. Many years later, I ended up riding that wave too.
"Portuguese coaches adapt very well. In addition to their knowledge, they have a great ability to adapt, tactical flexibility and a very positive way of relating to people. This human component adds value in any context. And it's not just in football.
"I've met Portuguese people in other areas, in leadership positions and with great impact. I've felt that Portuguese competence abroad and I'm happy to represent a little of that community out there."
Speaking of Strasbourg, what has it been like for you in a region like Alsace, in such a special city, and how do you live day to day with your family and your work at the club?
"The city is fantastic. It's small but beautiful, and it's welcomed me and my family very well. The president, Marc Keller, and Francois, the academy director, have also played an important role in integrating my children into the schools, something that weighs heavily in a decision like this.
"It was a difficult decision to leave England for France, not least because my youngest son had just been born. But, in family terms, the adaptation turned out to be simpler, because my wife has French roots, studied at the Lycee Francais in Lisbon and speaks it fluently.
"Today, my children already play in French with each other and probably speak it better than their father. They've adapted very well."
What is your area of influence within the Strasbourg coaching staff?
"My area of influence hasn't changed much since my experience with Liam Rosenior. I came here with the intention of bringing a different voice to the coaching staff and that's why I accepted the challenge.
"During the working week I tried to add value on several fronts. My ability to speak Spanish helped me build connections with some of the players, such as Kendry Paez, Valentin Barco, Joaquin Panichelli and Julio Enciso, and I was also a frequent presence in one-to-one meetings.
"After that, I was very involved in the offensive side of things, especially analysing the opponent's weaknesses and how we could better exploit the final third. With the arrival of Gary O'Neil, naturally people he trusted came in, but from the start I felt that my opinion was valued. As I already knew the group, that also helped.
"Today I feel that I add value in the strategic preparation of the game, in reading the players' characteristics and in the offensive component. Gary has a very clear identity, but he knows how to adapt well to his opponents. In training, too, I have some freedom of planning, especially in offensive matters."
Strasbourg changed coaches during the season: out went Liam Rosenior and in came Gary O'Neil. In your opinion, what is Strasbourg's true identity? Has there been a change of identity or continuity?
"Before I talk about the coaches, there's an important point: I've never felt a lack of identity at Strasbourg. Despite some fans' criticisms of multi-ownership, the club retains its essence.
"The president, Marc Keller, is still in office, the stadium is growing and there are academy players with regular places in the team - Abdoul Ouattara and Samir El Mourabet. That shows continuity. In my opinion, the change of ownership has helped the club reach a level that would have been difficult to achieve otherwise.
"As for the coaches, Liam Rosenior excels in communication and human management. Gary O'Neil is more focused on tactics and playing principles. Basically, they are two excellent coaches, each with their own characteristics.
"Perhaps the biggest differences are in defence. With Liam there was a more aggressive, man-to-man approach. With Gary, a more protected structure has emerged, with greater security in the defensive line, without losing aggression.
"Offensively, I don't see any major differences. Perhaps there's some greater structural freedom and certain nuances in the occupation of spaces.
"The way Gary and his team have arrived has been very intelligent: they've made an impact with new ideas, but they've managed to maintain what was already well done. This has also been a very enriching experience for me."
Since you've arrived, in what aspect do you feel Strasbourg has evolved the most, football-wise or tactically?
"I'll come back to the defensive approach, because that was perhaps the biggest change. We've moved away from a very intense, man-to-man approach that relies on one-on-one duels, towards a more cautious, more secure structure in the defensive line, with numerical superiority in that area.
"This hasn't caused us to lose aggressiveness in high pressing, which is still a feature of the team, but it has brought a different balance. Gary also brings experience of the Premier League, in the demanding context of the fight to stay in the Premier League, and that background has added important knowledge.
"Today, the players combine two skills: the ability to press aggressively and this new defensive organisation. This gives us more solutions and makes it easier to adapt our behaviour depending on the game."
Have there been any players who have particularly surprised you since your arrival?
"Certainly several, but if I have to pick one name I'd say Joaquin Panichelli, not least because unfortunately he can't play anymore this season. Everyone knows what he shows on the pitch, but I value even more what you see on a daily basis.
"He's a fantastic kid, with a great work ethic and a role model for everyone. He was often used internally as a reference point, because of the way he worked and how he defended the team at all times.
"Then, inside the area, he has a natural talent for finishing and I believe he'll reach new heights. Unfortunately he suffered a serious knee injury, which was a major loss for us and especially for him. But I have no doubt that he will overcome this obstacle. If I have to choose one name, Pani is the consensus here."
Last week you lost to Nice in the French Cup. Have you started working on your mistakes ahead of the important game with Rayo Vallecano?
"Yes, that's what training is all about: correcting mistakes, maximising our best characteristics and preventing those situations from happening again.
"Nice presented a different approach to the one they had shown in the league, with a line of five, something we expected. We dominated possession, but we weren't effective with our chances in the first half.
"Our opponents capitalised on some of our mistakes and eventually went ahead. We don't feel that the best team has gone through to the final, but in football, the team that scores the most goals goes through. So credit to Nice.
"Now the focus is on correcting these details and preparing for the next challenge. The game with Rayo will be different because it's a two-legged play-off, and we've already experienced that against Mainz, when we were dominated in Germany and then very strong in Strasbourg."
When you're preparing for a two-legged play-off, is the work different from a one-off game like the French Cup?
"I wouldn't say it's very different. There are a few nuances, but once the process is well-established, the basis remains the same. What changes more is the message to the players, because in a two-legged tie there's always the notion that there's time to correct something in the second match.
"Against Mainz, for example, we had a different approach at home. The way we want to attack is always linked to the way we defend, and we adjusted that according to the context. We were at a disadvantage and had to take more risks. We managed to neutralise our opponents' strengths, create a lot of chances and dominate the game.
"That's perhaps the main difference in a knockout match: realising what happened in the first leg and adapting the second according to the result and what the game demands. Now let's see how it goes against Rayo."
How do you see Rayo Vallecano in this European season? In the league it's been more complicated, but the season in the Conference League is historic.
"That's for sure. There's an important point here: Gary O'Neil has a lot of merit in this preparation. He knows certain Rayo traits well, not least because of the links between Inigo Perez's current idea and what Iraola later took to Bournemouth.
"When you look at Rayo, you see a lot of Bournemouth. And our coach knows these bridges between the two ideas very well. I'm not saying that's an advantage, but there's knowledge about behaviours and dynamics that can be important in preparing for the game.
"The experience Gary brings from the Premier League also adds value to this process. We know that Rayo are a competitive, physical and aggressive team who create more chances than they concede. They play a very direct game and know exactly why they use it.
"We have to be alert and prepared for what the game in Vallecas will demand. Then the second leg at home could be important, as we saw against Mainz, where we were very strong in Strasbourg."
Do you feel that Strasbourg can win the Conference League?
"We do, as I'm sure Rayo, Crystal Palace and Shakhtar do. We've already taken a lot of steps to be here, but now our full focus is on Madrid. The first objective is to have a good game and get a positive result. That's the step we need to take if we want to keep dreaming about the final in Germany.
"I feel we can win the competition. There's ambition, confidence and, above all, a lot of focus on Thursday's game."