1 Tactics

Porto had a poor 2009-10 season under Jesualdo Ferreira but when André Villas-Boas took charge he insisted that 4-3-3 was a core part of the club's identity and he would not be changing it. However, he made the team more offensive by inverting the midfield triangle. So instead of Ferreira's two defensive midfielders (Raul Meireles and Fernando), Villas-Boas played two midfielders further up the pitch (João Moutinho and Fernando Belluschi or Fredy Guarín), with Fernando sitting deep. It brought spectacular results in terms of goals – 145 goals in 58 games – but left Porto exposed at the back. They kept only three clean sheets in their last 15 games last season.

2 Man-management

Villas-Boas's team-talk before Porto won the Europa League is a powerful illustration of his ability to motivate players. "It was so moving it brought tears to my eyes," said the Porto goalkeeper Beto. "Every player left that room sure we would beat Braga." He is also known for being calm under pressure. In the Europa League semi-final home leg, Porto were being outplayed by Villarreal and were a goal down at the break. Villas-Boas did not panic, or make any change in formation. Instead he trusted his players, who stormed back to win 5-1.

The glowing praise lavished on Villas-Boas by his players is down to his close relationship with them, perhaps helped by the small difference in age. "He brought an enormous will to win to our team and fostered a great spirit of sacrifice among all of us," says the forward Silvestre Varela. "He's a coach who is close to the players and talks a lot with us. He's always interested in knowing our opinion about every matter and gives freedom to the players."

3 Transfer nous

The 33-year-old has less contol over transfers than he would in England due to the way Porto is run. They have an unrivalled scouting network in South America and a well-oiled backroom structure – and it is often the president, Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, who oversees transfers. As such, making the most of the market is one test Villas-Boas is yet to take.

But his ability to get maximum commitment out of everyone (even squad players such as Beto) is a hallmark of his management. He relaunched what appeared to be the waning career of Moutinho to the extent that he has now called "the Portuguese Xavi" and had a similarly stimulating effect on Belluschi. The Argentina playmaker looked out of place in his debut season at Porto but has excelled under Villas-Boas.

4 Political operator

Villas-Boas has always stood side by side with his president while his frequent allusions to his past as a fervent Porto fan who travelled to away games immediately endeared him to fans. Although less inclined to seek controversy than his mentor, José Mourinho, Villas-Boas is not averse to meting out sharp ripostes. Last October he was sent to the stands by the referee against Vitória Guimarães, leading Benfica's coach, Jorge Jesus, to suggest that his lack of experience was showing. Two months later, after Jesus got involved in a physical altercation with an opposition player, Villas-Boas retorted: "Who would have thought it? The wizened master losing his rag and behaving far worse than the upstart kid."

5 Media

It is easy to forget that his appointment last summer was a huge surprise and considered a big risk. But his initial nervous demeanour soon gave way to intelligent and self-assured press conferences. Indeed, his energetic displays of emotion on the touchline contrast sharply with what has become a calm and measured style off it. He also does a nice line in soundbites. Upon taking over at Estádio do Dragão and being asked who out of his two famous superiors had had the biggest influence on his career he replied: "I see myself much more in the image of Bobby Robson than Mourinho. Like him I've got English heritage, I've got a big nose and I like red wine."