Bruno Lage leaves Benfica future to Rui Costa: I’ll never be a problem | OneFootball

Bruno Lage has placed his future as Benfica’s coach in the hands of Rui Costa. The Portuguese manager spoke to journalists at the press conference following the tough 3-2 defeat against Qarabag, and commented on the possibility of leaving the Club of Light soon.

"I must say that this was not the night we wanted to give our fans; they deserved more. They deserved 90 minutes like the first 30. Because we did so much, and so well, to be in the Champions League, and our fans did not deserve this first European night," began Bruno Lage.

The Portuguese coach continued, addressing his future at Luz, leaving the decision in Rui Costa’s hands: "I will never be a problem for Benfica; the club has given me so many wonderful things and I will never be a problem. When the President feels I no longer have the support of the fans, when he feels the team’s performance is not enough, or that my message is not getting through to the group, or that the group is not with me, whatever it may be... Benfica will only pay me until that day."

Bruno Lage was then asked if these words meant a farewell to the Benfica fans: "It’s a statement to explain that I will never be a problem for Benfica. This is not a goodbye, my motivation is at its highest".

"We have to be self-critical, to understand the moment we are living both on and off the field. We knew what we were coming into. But now is the time to look at what we had to do; we managed it for 30 minutes, but then... The first goal brought anxiety, and the situation outside did not help, it didn’t allow the team to be calm. But above all, we must be self-critical, and tomorrow we will be there with the right motivation to dignify Benfica", concluded Bruno Lage, who left the possibility of a coaching change at the club in Rui Costa’s hands.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.