My job is like a dream

We wished Jose a Happy Birthday and traditionally asked him a few questions, we also requested him to share his plans and goals.

- Happy Birthday, Jose! We wish you good health and the best of luck. You’ve been working at Shakhtar for over two years now. What’s your impression of working at the club and living in Ukraine?

- Yes, nearly three years now. I really enjoy working at Shakhtar. It’s a big club with great ideas for the future, so I’m very happy to be part of the team. Life in Ukraine is a big surprise for me because I imagined a different country, but in fact it’s a great country with very nice cities and places, people here are very nice to me, so I am pleasantly surprised.

- How has your professional life changed during this period?

- Everything is different now because previously I worked for 12 years at the same club - at Lisbon-based Benfica. That’s a big club, and I was living in my home city there. While now I'm outside of the country, in a different city and club. As I said, Shakhtar not only has a clear idea of the future, but also I am among big friends here - they are more than just my work colleagues or directors now. I have many friends both at the club and in Ukraine.

- What part of your work is the most interesting?

- Many things are interesting. My job is like a dream for me. When you do what you enjoy, it’s no longer work. Most of all I like to find new players, young players. And I am very glad when they develop into great professionals. This is especially nice and important in my job.

- What new experience have you gained during this time?

- Not in terms of football because it’s similar everywhere. But my life experience is completely different. Such snowy two weeks are an absolutely new experience for me. This never happens in Portugal. And it’s not just snow, that’s lots of snow!

- How would you like to see the next year of your life in terms of achievements and goals?