Artur Jorge dead at 78

PORTUGUESE football is mourning the death of the legendary Artur Jorge at the age of 78.

The former forward enjoyed an impressive career as a player, with the highlight being his 105 goals in 130 matches for Benfica.

However, it was as a manager that he achieved icon status and saw him voted as the European Coach of the Year in 1987 after claiming European Cup success.

And Jorge also has the unique honour of being idolised by both supporters of rival clubs Benfica and Porto.

He won the Primeira Liga title four times as a player with the former between 1969 and 1975.

He then led Porto to three domestic championships during the first of his two spells in charge there.

Ex-PSG president Michel Denisot also paid a touching tribute.

He said: “Artur Jorge is the greatest coach I have known.

“Educated, cultured, passionate, strategic, uncompromising… with him PSG grew very quickly.”

As well as PSG, he is also fondly remembered in France’s capital city following a two-year stint with Racing Paris.

Jorge also coached the Cameroon national side but he failed to secure them qualification for the 2006 World Cup.

After spells in the MIddle East, he ended his 35-year managerial career in 2015 following a season in charge of Algerian side MC Alger.