FC Porto have announced that former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas will form part of the club's backroom staff for the new season while he recovers from his recent heart attack.
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Casillas joined Porto from Los Blancos in 2015, and has since made more than 100 appearances for the club. The 38-year old has, however, confirmed his decision to take a step back from his playing career as he looks to recover from the heart attack he suffered on 1 May.
"I'm going to do something different than I usually did, which was to be on the pitch. I'll try to make the connection between the team and the club," Casillas told Porto Canal.
"The coach talked to me last season when my situation happened and he told me that he wanted me to stay with them, close to the players, near the younger players, because there would be a lot of changes. I will try to do my best to help my teammates."
Casillas stopped short of confirming his retirement from the game, which leaves the door open for a possible return to the field in the future.
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The shot-stopper spent 25 years with Real before leaving the Spanish giants to join Porto in 2015. He has since made 156 for the Liga NOS side and was the club's first choice between the sticks before he suffered a heart attack earlier this year.
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