Sérgio Conceição as the next national coach? “It wouldn't even be respectful for me to comment.”

Francisco Conceição, the national team's forward, was asked on Sunday about reports suggesting his father, Sérgio Conceição, might take over as the national team coach.

“I don't need to comment on those reports. We have the utmost respect for the coach who is here; we are focused on the World Cup, on doing our best for our country. It's not my place to comment on those reports, nor would it be respectful for me to do so,” he responded during the press conference held two days before Portugal's match against Uzbekistan, a fixture in Group K's second round.

Regarding the unique situation of being the first father-son duo to play in a World Cup, he shared his feelings: “I think that 2002 World Cup didn't go so well; they were eliminated in the group stage [laughs]. It's always a source of pride to know my father played in a World Cup and that I am here now. I hope history will be different. He told me that back then, they went in with a lot of ambition, they also had a very good generation, and the goal was to go as far as possible. He stressed that a small mistake can ruin everything. That's what we want to avoid.”