Ian Cathro: ‘The most Portuguese Scot out there’ rebuilds his managerial reputation

Estoril had just lost 3-1 to Sporting at Alvalade, but Ian Cathro was in an incredibly positive mood in his post-match press conference.

“Can I ask you a question?” asked a journalist in native Portuguese the last time the Lisbon Coast side faced Sporting away from home, in March 2025.

“What kind of football do you like to watch? Did you enjoy the game? Maybe you were here for other matches and I assume you fell asleep” [at some point]. We want to do things differently.”

That night, despite the result, Estoril, playing in a 5,000-capacity stadium, at times managed to silence more than 35,000 home fans.

Cathro couldn’t be prouder to watch it.

On Friday, the 39-year-old Scot will return to Alvalade hoping to achieve the same thing, but with a better result on the pitch.

Estoril are one of the most exciting teams to watch in Portugal, averaging two goals per game with 46 goals in 23 matches, the fourth most, and more than league leaders FC Porto (44).

Along with Sporting, they have had the most goals in matches with four or more goals this season (six). For the second season in a row, a team accustomed to fighting relegation finds itself comfortably in the top half of the table, albeit with a more porous defence, having conceded 39 goals.

The club’s top-flight points record of 54, set in 2013-14, when they recorded their best finish of fourth, may be out of reach this season given they have 33 points with 11 games remaining, but even Benfica coach Jose Mourinho admitted his admiration for Cathro, saying “he’s making his mark.”

Scottish secret? As he always emphasizes, they play without fear, regardless of the opponent.

“I’m young, but I’ve been through a lot already, in a lot of places. I think I’ve already seen almost every film you can watch in my career in this industry,” Cathro told BBC Sport.

“I’m not here trying to win five games in a row just to get a jump. I look at this project and I really feel like it’s my responsibility to help the club take a step to another level. And that other level is more stability, so that no one – absolutely no one – is afraid anymore.”

Recognition is certainly coming.

In January, Cathro was named Portuguese Primera Division Coach of the Month by his peers.