Rui Costa faces fresh Benfica exit as Pires de Andrade to resign when new investor arrives | OneFootball

The Benfica SAD structure, led by Rui Costa, is braced for significant changes in the coming months, with António Pires de Andrade set to relinquish his seat once the new shareholder takes office.

According to Glorioso 1904, the board member currently represents José António dos Santos, known as 'Rei dos Frangos', who has sold his 16.38% holding to US fund Entrepreneur Equity Partners, in a deal that promises to reshape Benfica SAD’s internal balance.

Pires de Andrade has long personal and professional ties to José António dos Santos, including work in cereal imports in the 1980s and 1990s, and believes the incoming investor should be free to choose a new representative.

He was reconfirmed in December on Rui Costa’s ticket, a detail that underscores the significance of this decision amid an internal reorganisation.

The change will not be immediate, with completion of the share sale scheduled for the end of July, after which the American fund can nominate a replacement to the Benfica SAD board.

Source: Glorioso 1904