Mourinho Claims he’d Achieve Greater Success Remaining Idle Than Coaching Benfica
LISBON, PORTUGAL – New Benfica manager José Mourinho has ignited controversy with a candid admission: he believes he would achieve more success simply staying home than by leading his current club. The statement, revealed in recent interviews, casts a shadow over his return to the Portuguese league and raises questions about his commitment to the Lisbon giants.
Mourinho, 62, took the helm at Benfica last week following the dismissal of Bruno Lage after a Champions League defeat to Qarabağ. He signed a contract extending through the 2026/2027 season, and secured a 3-0 victory in his debut match against AVS. However, his recent remarks suggest a lack of confidence in Benfica’s potential for notable achievement. “If I stay at home until July, I would win more than in Benfica,” Mourinho stated.
The veteran coach also disclosed that he received informal inquiries from both FC Porto and Sporting CP prior to accepting the Benfica position. He described the responses from presidents of those clubs – André Villas-Boas and others – as dismissive, characterized by a sentiment of “Good luck, but you are second.” When asked if he would have considered those offers, Mourinho responded, “Honestly, I don’t know, but quickly and the conditions with which I said to be Benfica, no.”
This revelation underscores the challenging circumstances Mourinho faces at Benfica,a club historically dominant in Portugal but currently facing stiff competition. His comments are likely to fuel speculation about his long-term plans and intensify scrutiny of his performance in the coming months.
