Rui Gomes da Silva says one key man must stay at Benfica in 2026/27 | OneFootball

Rui Gomes da Silva, former vice-president of Benfica, was demanding about the future of the club, calling for changes and setting a clear objective for next season. The former executive also supports José Mourinho staying on, just like João Malheiro.

"Benfica have to be champions next year. Some things have to be done. If I were Benfica president, I would keep José Mourinho. I would put funds at Mourinho’s disposal so he could make the adjustments to the team, the squad changes he would want for us to become champions with him", he said on the sidelines of the Ion by 2Build 2026 conference in Cascais.

Rui Gomes da Silva also highlighted the importance of the coach’s international stature: "What I think is most important is the international dimension José Mourinho gives Benfica. When you look at Benfica’s bench in a European match, nobody is asking who the coach is. He is an important coach. I still believe, and I have always argued, that Benfica can become European champions again. (…) Benfica have to be in the Champions League every year to try to become European champions".

On the title race and the European competitions, he was realistic: "Confidence, optimism, always believing until the end, and hoping that Benfica, in a few years, can win their third European Cup. The league? It’s difficult. I believed until the match against Porto. Now, I’m a little more realistic".

Finally, he avoided going into detail about specific changes to the squad: "That is up to the board. If I were there, I would have responsibility. Right now, it is not mine, but what makes me believe is being Benfica. Life goes on, a lot changes, the only thing that remains is Benfica".

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