Luis Boa Morte says he “lives for football” – and Everton's new assistant manager leapt at the opportunity to reunite with Marco Silva at Goodison Park.
Former Arsenal and Fulham attacker Boa Morte was on the staff at Sporting Lisbon when Everton boss Silva masterminded the capital club’s domestic cup success in 2014-15.
Boa Morte has made significant strides as a coach since finishing playing in 2013, sandwiching a role as manager at Portuguese third-tier team Sintrense with age-group positions at Sporting and Portimonense SC in the country’s top division – before working as right-hand man to Marco Balbul with Maccabi Haifa in Israel.
“I am an intense coach, I live for football and I am very passionate about what I do,” Boa Morte told evertontv.
“You have a lot of responsibility in your hands as a coach.
“The players always need to understand the message; what the coaching team wants, what we are looking for and the way we want to play.
"It is important to be on top of them and… when you are looking for something, to explain and make sure they understand.
“Only like that, can we have a great union and work together.
“I know no one is perfect, but it is important that we look for perfection.”
Boa Morte originally moved to England when he left Sporting for Arsenal in 1997.
He was a double winner in his first campaign in north London as Arsene Wenger set about overseeing one of the most successful periods in Arsenal's history.
Capped 28 times by Portugal, Boa Morte spent one year with Southampton after leaving Highbury in 1999 and subsequently had extended spells with Fulham and West Ham United.
The 41-year-old was in England more than 14 years in all. In addition to acting as valuable insight for his new position, Boa Morte’s time in the country enabled him to form a favourable impression of Everton.
“I played against Everton so many times and you have to understand how ambitious the supporters are – how much they live for the Club," said Boa Morte.
“It was not hard for me to say 'yes' when I had the chance to come here.
“The supporters are so passionate about the Club and want their team to play a good style of football.
“Goodison Park was such a tough ground to come and play.
"You find difficult grounds to go to down the years – and I always said, ‘Okay, this is really, really tough, to play at Everton’.
“Last season they did well and teams found it hard to come to Goodison Park… and now we need to carry on the good work.”
Boa Morte continued to track Silva’s progress after the manager left Sporting for Greek club Olympiakos in 2015.
And he could recognise his boss’s training ground work transferring onto the field with Everton, particularly during a rousing finale to the campaign when Silva’s side claimed 21 points from their final 11 games.
That run featured four straight home wins to close the season – against Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Burnley.
“The boss has been getting Everton playing good football,” added Boa Morte.
“It is exciting to be back in England and working at such a big club.
“I was pleased [when I heard about the opportunity]. It has always been my main goal to return to the Premier League.
“Marco gave me the chance to come to Everton, so I thank him for this opportunity and I am looking forward to starting work.”
