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On the same night FC Porto's transfer target Brazilian player Amarildo, fled to city rivals Boavista F.C. at the last-minute, Pinto da Costa was provoked by friends, some of whom were directors of Boavista F.C., with allegations that Boavista had surpassed Porto as the city's major sporting force. He considered this an outrage and vowed on that night to return to his beloved club. Soon after he contacted then FC Porto's Chairman Américo de Sá and both arranged his return through the formers reelection list, this time as director of football. Before the elections, he agreed terms with José Maria Pedroto, who was still coaching Boavista F.C. at the time. In May 1976 Chairman Américo de Sá was reelected and Pinto da Costa returned to the club as director of football, alongside Pedroto as a coach.