Benfica in 25/26, Marco Silva and Mourinho: all Rui Costa said | OneFootball

At a press conference at the Estádio da Luz held this Thursday, Benfica president Rui Costa clarified current Club matters for Benfica fans — such as José Mourinho’s departure and the arrival of Marco Silva — while also reviewing the 2025/26 season.

Why are you only speaking now?

"After the women’s Cup final I promised to speak during that week, but as everyone knows, and I believe everyone is aware of the reasons that led me to speak only now... As you remember, after the game with Estoril, José Mourinho said he would decide his future that week and, from the moment Real Madrid elections came into play and Mourinho made it clear he wanted to accept the offer if Florentino won, we needed to be prudent, more patient and keep the situation under control, waiting for the outcome of the elections so that I could not only explain the season to you, but also the future without José Mourinho. We could not be reckless in a situation like this and I acted in the way I thought was best for Benfica. And this patience proved us right. I regret only speaking now, but it was a process that took much longer than we expected and forced us to be cautious and manage the situation so as not to make a mistake. In the middle of it all there was a clause that represented a lot and Benfica could not take the first step, risking making some mistake. That patience brought us here. It took more time than expected and more than we wanted, but it had the effect you know".

What do you expect from Marco Silva?

"What all Benfica fans expect. That he can bring the titles we so greatly desire. We believe he is the ideal coach for Benfica. His experience in England and what he has done give us that hope. I am very pleased with this choice and very ambitious for Benfica’s future with a coach who, I believe, will bring us what we want".

Why did you offer Mourinho a renewal? Marco Silva is your 6th coach in 5 years

"Marco Silva’s success will be fundamental to Benfica’s success and that is what we expect. A renewal offer? We made it when we felt it was the right time and we discussed it. Mourinho knew perfectly well that he was the coach I wanted for next season. He had a contract until the end of the season and we would not let him start his final contract year with just one year left. That is what we did, but José Mourinho’s choice was another one. Real Madrid came into the picture and he took another option".

What do you say to critics who say Rui Costa was left in Mourinho’s hands? Could this period of indecision create greater difficulties?

"Benfica only had to wait for the outcome of Real Madrid’s electoral process because of what I have just said. He stated that he would be Real Madrid’s coach if Florentino won the elections. We were not left in anyone’s hands, we always controlled the situation. All scenarios were anticipated and analysed and we were ready for any scenario on the other side. The fact that I stayed silent and that we waited for those elections did not mean the club was standing still. You cannot confuse this wait with the club being blocked. The club worked to be ready at the start of the season, knowing that the only thing that changed regarding expectations was that the first competition would be the league and, after the Cup, it became the Europa League qualifying round. Between the first day of plan A and the one we have today, it takes 18 days away from us. We had to adjust pre-season, but this is a guarantee: none of this process delayed our process. We are more than on time. We did not stand still, we worked, we planned and we will go into the qualifying round with everything prepared. We still have to wait for our players who are at the World Cup to arrive, but none of this delayed the preparation".

José Mourinho, still as Benfica coach, appeared in a Real Madrid shirt using AI. Were you bothered?

"At first I was, but we received a clear explanation of how that happened. Internally it was resolved. From José Mourinho’s side? Of course, obviously".

When you presented the renewal offer to Mourinho, had he already told you anything about Real Madrid? When do you expect to receive the 15 million?

"Let’s take it step by step. The agreements are all done. We still have not received the 15 million, but it is guaranteed and due at any moment. It is part of the bureaucracy. The offer? Just remember Mourinho’s last press conference, when he said there was a 99% chance of staying because he had a good offer. Let’s put aside the idea that we presented a renewal offer because we knew Mourinho was going to Real Madrid. The first time I am asked whether Mourinho is staying at Benfica, it is in the opposite sense. It is after the game with Casa Pia. And that week, before the game at Alvalade, I stated that Mourinho was my coach for the following year".

Regarding Mourinho’s election clause. Did you not try to remove it so you would have decision-making power until the end of the season?

"First of all, when that clause was made, we were in an election period. It allowed that, if I did not win the elections, whoever came in would have different freedom to continue or not with José Mourinho. I have seen a lot of confusion. That clause applied to Benfica and to Mourinho. If Benfica wanted to sack Mourinho, it would have had to pay those 7 million euros, and if Mourinho wanted to leave, the same. This clause was only for those two parties. At any moment, even in those 10 days, if any club wanted Mourinho it would always have had to pay the 15 million. That agreement was only between the two parties. That clause served that purpose and neither of us would have expected there not to be continuity. Let it be clear: any club that wanted Mourinho would always have to pay the 15 million. The 7 million would only be for Benfica and Mourinho".

Only Roger Schmidt, your only foreign coach, truly succeeded. Why did you back a single Portuguese coach?

"Benfica are changing coach because the coach decided to leave at this moment. As happened in my first year with Jorge Jesus, when in December Flamengo came into the picture and created the complication it created. I will always try for our coaches to have the longest possible time at the club. Mourinho chose another project for his career. The choice of a Portuguese coach, at this moment, aims at two things: one because I like and believe in it, the other because I consider Marco Silva a great coach and at the ideal point in his career to coach a club like Benfica. From the moment I got to Marco Silva, the other choices were completely ruled out".

If Mourinho was your coach, why, on 1 March, after Mourinho’s remarks, did Rui not go along with that proposal made by the coach? Mourinho had the possibility of wanting to leave himself for a lower amount...

"Correct. That is a fact. If he paid the clause to Benfica, he would leave through that clause. Regarding the renewal, I have already mentioned it. We made the offer when we thought it right to do so. We are not talking about a coach who was on borrowed time or whose contract was ending. Our focus at that moment was to recover the season, which at that stage was already behind in the title race. Let’s put aside the idea that that moment influenced Mourinho’s decision. If I had renewed in March and Real Madrid had appeared at the end of the season, it would not have changed anything. But it is still funny that even today I am so criticised for, in March 2023, renewing with a coach who, with 9 matchdays left, had a 10-point lead. And now I am criticised for the opposite. Mourinho always knew from me that he would not start next season without a renewal. Mourinho’s continuity was never in question and he knows that. We spoke every day and there is no way to avoid this subject. But we decided to extend this period and, at the end of the season, we would renew. Another important point, and let it be clear: the official offer to Mourinho came before the final matchday, when we still had a remote hope of reaching 2nd place".

Given how close the start of pre-season is, has the squad planning been done around continuity? Are there untouchables?

"Not all players are negotiable, we do not have the entire squad on the market and we did not put every player up for sale. We know in advance — and I am not going to hide it — that the fact we do not have the Champions League will force some efforts. But we want to keep the base of the squad and adjust what needs strengthening. Right away, and obviously, Otamendi’s departure will force reinforcement in the centre. The absence of the Champions League weighs on any club, but we will be ready to invest in the market so that we can fight in all competitions".

Do you feel disappointed by Mourinho’s decision? If Florentino had not won, would Mourinho still be Benfica coach today?

"We considered all scenarios because we were not left in Mourinho’s or Real Madrid’s hands. All scenarios were considered. And after this whirlwind, we had to get moving and plan next season. There was a gentlemen’s agreement between the parties in which Benfica would not be harmed, but would already be thinking about the future coach. Respectfully, both parties reached that agreement and no one would be harmed. Disappointed? No, I have to respect it. It was unexpected for us, I do not hide that, but I have to respect it and move forward".

What would Benfica have done if Florentino had not won the elections?

"[Mourinho] would no longer be Benfica coach given all the circumstances, in an agreement made amicably between the parties. He would be leaving at this moment".

If Benfica fail again to win titles this season, will you consider resigning? Was Marco Silva your 2nd or 3rd option? Ruben Amorim’s name was mentioned...

"I cannot hide such a situation, nor is Marco far removed from that decision-making. If we presented a renewal offer to Mourinho, Marco Silva only comes to Benfica because Mourinho did not stay, that is obvious. As for all the names that were mentioned, let me say something very clear and transparent: in Portugal people really like the question of 1st choice, 2nd choice. It is a recurring issue. But no club in this decision fails to make a shortlist. I am not going to talk about names that were or were not contacted or that were or were not offered to Benfica. As soon as Marco Silva made himself available, our option was Marco Silva. I have to think about how Benfica win titles".

Were you aware, from the very beginning, of Real Madrid’s interest and the talks with Mourinho? Did you feel betrayed when, after presenting the offer, he turned it down?

"Mourinho never hid from us that there had been an approach from Real Madrid. The rest... had to follow its course. Just remember Mourinho’s last press conference as Benfica coach. On that day, he himself did not tell you whether he was staying, but he said there was a strong possibility of it. We made a serious offer to José Mourinho and we respected that he took another decision in his career. That matter is now behind us, he will be Real Madrid coach, and ours will be Marco Silva".

Who has been preparing this pre-season up to now? Regarding the upcoming General Assemblies, what do you expect?

"Who is preparing it? Benfica’s structure, obviously. To give the coach the best conditions to decide accordingly. We did not wait for everything to pass and only then see what we need... The coach already has in his possession, and as you know is already working, everything that is the report from last season, what we consider did not work well, to make a 'tailor-made suit'. It was an awkward moment because we were in this silence, but we were not without preparing next season. GAs? I hope they are Benfica-style. Respectful. Critical, naturally, because it was a year in which we did not win what we should have won".

Do you feel Mourinho said no to Benfica and yes to Real Madrid?

"That was a phrase from Mourinho... I consider that he chose another path for his career and I will respect that".

You end the season without trophies, only with the Super Cup, and without the Champions League. Is this your worst season as president?

"The worst season I had as president was my very first one. We finished 3rd but ended up going to the Champions League. After that it did not happen again and this is a frustrating year, a very negative one for Benfica. And I apologise to all Benfica fans for a year that fell short of all our expectations. Now it is about correcting what did not go well — and that was a lot — and going into next season with optimism. Those are our premises from now on".

Looking ahead, what did Marco Silva tell you about the Benfica project? And what did he ask for? Who, in Marco Silva’s view, cannot leave?

"First of all, while the press were saying Marco Silva demanded to build the squad, we had not even reached financial agreements yet... Let’s clear that up a little. It is obvious that bringing in a coach from the Premier League is never easy, but there was mutual respect in us understanding Marco Silva’s value and Marco Silva understanding that he was coming to Portugal, where the figures could not be similar to those paid in the highest-paying league in the world. He is more than fully identified with Benfica’s project. Because he is Portuguese and a Benfica supporter, he watched the club’s matches throughout the year and is aware of the shortcomings. I will not mention what he has or has not asked for. He is demanding, and that is good for us; we will try to reach a consensus regarding the club’s possibilities to build the best squad to compete on all fronts. I will say it clearly: this is a different year for us. The first step is getting into the Europa League, since we have three qualifying rounds. Then we have to establish ourselves as contenders. The league title has escaped us for three years and we want to have a squad ready for all those fronts. I see Marco as very optimistic, confident in the raw material we have at home. Obviously, with some more reinforcements that may be necessary. But for now, I can say there is great optimism on his part and we are very pleased with the positivity he brings. Departures? I can say that, so far, the market is very quiet. It is a World Cup year and we are under no urgency to make sales. Even with the Champions League or not, that will not rush us into taking measures that could be harmful".

What did you learn throughout this season that you will not do next season, even regarding a possible Marco Silva clause? He has still not been presented...

"Marco’s release clause is the same, 15 million euros. Marco Silva will be presented tomorrow. We cannot hide. We have three qualifying rounds to reach the Europa League. Benfica have to present themselves as one of the contenders. I am not saying Benfica will win, but they have to be one of the contenders. Our financial situation allows us to go through one year without the Champions League and we will not face major shocks, although it is understood that it has its impact. We are ready and prepared to overcome this as well. It will not be for that reason that we will fail to equip the team and build a squad worthy of Benfica’s pedigree, fighting in all competitions".

To what extent do you think refereeing affected last season?

"The season went badly. It was unusual in many aspects. And speaking about the season and explaining it: it was unusual in many aspects. We are talking about the Europa League situation, but nothing is more worrying than what happened last year. Starting with the way it began, coming from the Club World Cup and starting to compete 20 days later, without holidays, without anything. That cost us a lot, much more than this period now. At that time, we had a very strong focus on the immediate competitions ahead of us, we came almost directly from the Club World Cup into the Super Cup and Champions League qualifying round. Both objectives were achieved, but they demanded enormous toughness and sacrifice from the players and the structure. Nobody switched off. And then we had a huge physical and mental drop that cost us a lot in the league. In the league we made mistakes we should not have made. It is unusual for a club to finish the league unbeaten and in 3rd place, but you cannot have 11 draws during the year. Losing so many points at home... We were pushed away from the title because of those mistakes. Too many draws and crucial dropped points. But if we made many mistakes during the year, and I cannot run from them, we also cannot gloss over everything that happened with the refereeing. I am not hiding behind that, but I cannot forget what was done. I do not remember a club being so harmed during a year as Benfica were this year. And did that have implications in the standings? Of course. And we cannot be indifferent to that. I am not going to make excuses because I accept the bad season, I take responsibility and I apologise, but I cannot hide what happened with the refereeing. The incidents are very blatant and you commented on them throughout the season. What we demand is that Benfica be respected and that next year be very different. We had already come from a Cup in the way it was, and now what happened in Famalicão, for which I am going to have to take a punishment... The referee who officiated that match was still acting as 4th official only yesterday".

Were you disappointed with Mourinho’s work?

"If I were disappointed, I would not have given him a renewal offer."

What is the relationship with Mourinho like now?

"It is good, there is no point trying to create speculation. I respect his decision and we already have a coach for next season".

Schjelderup renewal?

"The renewal offer is in his hands. It is not an urgent case because his contract is not ending, but we will wait for the decision. When it is done, we will speak with him".

At what point did you find out Mourinho wanted to go to Real Madrid? Renewal offer for António Silva... Will he stay?

"António Silva also has a renewal offer on the table. Our job is to renew the players we feel deserve it. Their job is to accept it or not and I hope he accepts. The moment I found out? We found out, and that is why this whole situation happened, in the week in which the Real Madrid elections were then scheduled. I believe it did not catch only Benfica by surprise, but Mourinho as well. The extension of this period had to do with that and nothing else. I do not want to keep repeating myself. What Mourinho said at that press conference was the communication he had had with me".

Can you explain what the extendable clause Marco Silva has in his contract is?

"It is a national champion option. If he becomes champion, it automatically extends for one more year".

What went wrong for Rodrigo Zalazar to end up at Sporting?

"Wanted by Benfica? Do you know of any offer? Because if I have to analyse every player that comes out in the press, we would need a 24-hour press conference. He was not a player who, at those values, interested Benfica".

Mourinho also said he did not like dealing with one real league and another virtual one... Do you believe we live with this duality in Portugal? What can you say to the fans about this?

"Nobody likes it... We have always spoken up whenever we felt those issues came up. We have shown the competent authorities our sadness at seeing what has been going on, our discomfort. What José Mourinho said was what we felt. In several situations, we felt very harmed by the refereeing. I am not going to hide something that was a fact just because we failed in our objectives. That was not the only reason that led us to failure, but it also contributed. I do not remember a team being so harmed. We have already made all the complaints to the Refereeing Council and we demand transparency. We demand that next season be the same for all clubs. We do not want to be favoured, but we cannot continue to be harmed".

André Villas-Boas said Rui was a "gentleman of football". Does that mean you have to work harder?

"That is a question that, I am sorry, makes no sense at all. I am not here to be everybody’s darling, I am here to defend Benfica’s interests. The fact that André Villas-Boas raised that issue does not mean I am here sleeping or watching others go by".

The results Mourinho achieved at Benfica were not the desired ones. Do you feel Mourinho left any legacy within the structure?

"All coaches, in one way or another, leave a mark on the club, the structure, the players, in their workspace. A coach with Mourinho’s experience and ability clearly left something very important for us. And that is why I acknowledge that the work he was developing deserved continuity. I am grateful for what he tried to do at Benfica. I am a witness to what he sought to improve in the team and how he tried to lead it to titles, but, as I have been saying... I understand there is a lot to clarify about this story, but at this moment we are already preparing next season".

In António Silva’s renewal, is the captain’s armband also involved?

"Unless there is a revolution, Benfica’s captains remain the same. Otamendi has left. Now they are António Silva, Fredrik Aursnes and Tomás Araújo".

You have already admitted that you admire Portuguese coaches. What characteristics brought Marco Silva to Benfica? Was one of them the tactical system?

"That too, precisely. The ability we believe he has. But it is also not irrelevant that Marco Silva’s style of play is almost identical to the one we have been using. That also had a major influence. He is ready to take this squad and make it work. And then, because of the career he has had and the fact that he knows Portuguese football, even though he has been abroad for 9 years he has never stopped following Portuguese football and identifying with Benfica’s pedigree and demands. We are coming from a year that was not good, and for someone to have the courage and strength to lift Benfica’s team...".

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