The scouting tour

Between signing and naming a squad there is a job that comes with no press conference: going to watch matches. This section follows the national team manager round the stands, because in a stretch with no Portugal games that is where September's decisions actually get prepared.

The itinerary says something on its own. The first official night was in Braga and not at the Luz, at a time when Benfica were playing at the same hour. Next came the Cidade do Futebol, where he sat a few seats from Cristiano Ronaldo. Then the Luz, to watch Rafa Silva, Tomás Araújo and Samuel Soares, with the FPF president sitting several rows behind Rui Costa. And then the Reboleira, where he played and coached.

Who turns up in the stands, and next to whom, is at this stage as telling as what gets said into the microphone.