Tiago Fernandes: “Thierry has never stopped working; he has an impressive mindset”

Tiago Fernandes, former coach of Thierry Rendall at Sporting Club de Portugal, was the main guest on VCF Media Radio to talk about the Portuguese player’s return to the pitch after his serious injury.

Thierry’s return to the pitch

“I was very happy about his comeback because he’s a guy who has never stopped working. When I saw him step onto the field, I got emotional. He’s a fantastic guy and deserves the very best.”

Recovery process

“He kept working even during his wedding and honeymoon. He looked for a hotel that had the right facilities so he could continue training. He has an impressive mindset. He’s going to be very well prepared to help Valencia CF achieve its goals.”

Team

“He is a very important player because Valencia CF has a squad full of players with humility, determination, and technical quality. Thierry has these qualities and contributes a lot to the group. He is one of the captains because he works so hard. He has his place within the team. In these first matches, it’s important to build confidence. Thierry reminds me of Puyol because of his ability to play as a right-back, left-back, or in a back three… he’s ready to play in any position because he understands all phases of the game very well.”

Development in Portugal

“When I saw Thierry here at Sporting Club de Portugal, I told him that with his work ethic he would become a professional player anywhere in the world. In training, I always paired him with Leão because Thierry was very difficult to dribble past. They both improved. Thierry is one of the best in the world in 1v1 defensive situations. LaLiga, along with the Premier League, are the best competitions in the world.”

Photo: Correio da Manha and CNN Portugal