Benfica considered signing Bologna maestro | OneFootball

Marco Silva took charge of Benfica in June this year, succeeding José Mourinho on the Eagles' bench. However, the Portuguese coach was not Rui Costa’s only alternative for the role, with Vincenzo Italiano emerging as the board’s plan B.

According to journalist Nicolò Schira, Benfica president contacted the Italian coach as early as May, at a time when José Mourinho was still in charge of the team. According to the same source, Rui Costa sought to gauge Vincenzo Italiano’s availability to take over Benfica’s project. However, the coach ultimately chose a different path and signed for Besiktas.

At present, Italiano is said to be very pleased with the project presented by the Turkish club, ruling out, for now, any possibility of a move. The revelation is particularly interesting given that, in May, José Mourinho was still Benfica manager and was publicly dismissing rumors pointing to a possible departure from the Luz.

The possibility that Italiano had been on Benfica’s radar had already been suggested by Bologna technical director Giovanni Sartori. In June, the Italian executive spoke about Vincenzo Italiano’s departure for Besiktas and explained that the coach felt his cycle at Bologna had come to an end.

"The reason for his departure? He thought a cycle had come to an end and, when that happens, even if you keep trying insistently to make him change his mind, a coach moves forward down that path. It seems to me that Benfica wanted him too," Sartori revealed. In the end, Rui Costa moved for Marco Silva, and the Portuguese coach became the choice to lead Benfica, but it has now been confirmed that Italiano was indeed among the alternatives considered by the club’s hierarchy.

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