João Gabriel says Rui Costa didn’t want Mourinho at Benfica | OneFootball

João Gabriel has spoken out again about current events at Benfica and did not spare Rui Costa’s leadership from criticism. The former communications director of the Eagles analyzed the arrival of Marco Silva as head coach of the first team, while also revealing details about the inner workings of Benfica’s SAD. Despite the praise, João Gabriel revealed that Rui Costa did not want to continue with Mourinho.

"Rui Costa admitted that Marco Silva was not the first choice. That is true, and it in no way diminishes Marco Silva’s résumé. What Rui Costa did not say is that the first option was Ruben Amorim, and not José Mourinho. Rui Costa had not wanted Mourinho for a long time. Real Madrid was a blessing", he wrote in an article published on LinkedIn.

The former official also took the opportunity to warn about the instability on the Benfica bench in recent years. "Benfica are going to their sixth coach in just five years", he recalled, implicitly expressing concern about the lack of continuity in the Club’s sporting projects.

Still on Marco Silva, João Gabriel said the coach deserves the right conditions to work and made an appeal to the Eagles’ hierarchy. "Marco Silva needs no introduction or marketing campaign to justify the choice. He is a good coach. He deserves time and he deserves the right conditions. It is hoped that he will have support and a competent, capable structure around him, something his predecessors did not have", it reads.

In closing, the communications consultant also criticized Benfica’s communications department. "While we’re at it, if the communications director could show some sign of life throughout the season, and not just once a year at the presentation of new coaches, that would help too", he fired back.

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