All Manteigas said on Benfica TV: more unity, teamwork, more victories | OneFootball

João Diogo Manteigas was interviewed by BTV, due to his participation in the elections for the Presidency of Benfica. The candidate for President of the Clube da Luz is among the contenders in the upcoming elections, which will take place on October 25. Read the full interview here – and check out the conversation with another candidate here.

"Remuneration? Yes, because the statutes have changed and that’s what was decided. The first thing we will do is submit our income declaration so that everything can be monitored from the moment we enter until the moment we leave."

Sports model and strategy

"The sports model has already been applied in the five main European leagues. Greater efficiency in the squads. Benfica has a squad with many players. It should be more optimized. This involves reducing the squad, but not by much. Our second major weapon is to invest in youth development but, above all, to retain it. We have to do everything for our heart, which is Seixal, and show that it’s possible to invest in Seixal. Third, Benfica sells well in terms of players, but in our opinion, it buys poorly in terms of value. Benfica is buying more and more expensively and this has an impact."

"Investing in youth development? It requires work, confidence, and certainty. Nowadays we have António Silva who established himself four years ago, but not through direct investment. He was an added value from Benfica’s recent achievements. We have Tomás Araújo, who played at other clubs, and we have four cases who don’t even play. João Rego, for example."

Portuguese market

"It will have to become much more important than it currently is. When you look, it’s already too late. Clubs demand things from us that they don’t demand from other clubs. But it has to be done in anticipation. The greatest talent must be retained. It’s about going back a bit to what Benfica did so well for so long, investing in players in Portugal. This requires increased scouting. We believe that the Football Schools are already providing what is needed. Manu, who is now at Benfica, was standing out at Feirense before arriving at Vitória. That’s an example. Benfica can get ahead in scouting, instead of buying from clubs that already sell expensively to Benfica."

New names

"Next week more names will be revealed, both for other sports and for football."

Mourinho

"Mourinho is Benfica’s coach and must be defended. He is a very particular figure. When I hear Mourinho speak at press conferences beyond the technical-tactical issues, I believe it should be the Board to do so. Mourinho will be supported by our Board. He is a very experienced person, who will get along very well with the names we will present. He will even be very pleased with the name we will announce next week for football director."

Young players and women’s football

"For Benfica, it’s not enough to win, it has to show and convince, and it can do so again. The big challenge for young players is not technical or tactical, but playing with 65,000 people in the stands of our Stadium. Benfica was founded to win. I am a supporter of a Sports Public Limited Company. Women’s Football cannot miss the train. If Benfica starts to fall behind in terms of investment or even know-how... We have great players coming through our youth system. We must maintain our dominance in Portugal, but above all, have a competitive team to achieve something abroad."

Net debt that doubled (from 100 to 200 million)

"There are costs that can indeed be reduced. It’s clear that there is some way to cut back, even if only slightly. There are two big monsters that Benfica doesn’t need outside help for: one is liabilities and the other is financial debt. With bond loans, Benfica has to pay in the short term, a bit like Novo Banco did. The naming rights for the Stadium is another important issue. I’ve already sat down with two partners, one no longer interests me, the other remains active. The naming rights for the Stadium is a problem, it should have been solved many years ago. The naming rights for the Stadium are associated with two paths: either you close the naming for the Stadium and that’s it, or you create a new infrastructure. I don’t think Benfica will build a new stadium in the next five years. Taking advantage of the 2030 World Cup, it’s necessary to talk to the Government, FIFA, and UEFA, and then create a project."

Partnership with Adidas

"There’s a lot of talk about Adidas and forming a strategic partnership with Adidas. They have to recognize what Benfica is. This year we move up to Level II. I can’t give you a value per year, but I can assure you that I can solve these problems."

Broadcasting

"Benfica cannot lose money in the next two years. When Benfica reached the Portuguese Cup final, it issued a statement with which I agree 95%, except for the part where it says it will stay out of the process of centralizing TV rights. The Portuguese product is not worth what Liga Portugal says it is. Just look at the German case, where the Single Buyer clause was reduced. Portugal has a worse product. The first and second leagues have too many clubs. There is no competitiveness among the mid-table clubs. We need more teams in European leagues. And how do we achieve that? By reducing the number of clubs. Scenario? Benfica must receive more because it brings more people to the Stadium, pays more... This league will not succeed with this centralization proposal."

"BTV should be open to all members, except for the games. BTV is essential to spread everything about Benfica. A few years ago, we had Weigl going to the pavilions. BTV has the duty to unite all Benfiquistas and that’s what we propose so that we can be more and more united."

Other sports

"Just look at the case of hockey or handball. In the case of futsal and hockey, Benfica has the duty to win at home, in Portugal, and also internationally. In Olympic indoor sports, the problem is that Benfica hasn’t managed to be present at key moments. Achieving this goal, it’s natural that Benfica will have a competitive team to win more than others. Our proposal focuses more on handball. We want a Main Sponsor to give a big boost. Benfica needs a Benfica City for Other Sports or another pavilion."

Seixal and Estádio da Luz

"Seixal, since we have a sports model focused on youth development, must undergo expansion and greater adaptation, but for the better. Regarding the Stadium, when I announced my candidacy I said it was necessary to think about what to do to renovate it. Benfica has a capacity problem, but looking at the legality in Portugal, Fan Standing is not allowed. If we are to adapt the Stadium, we have to think about safety and pedestrian areas. With the CML, build two pedestrian bridges, one for each side."

Associativism

"It is our great foundation and identifies with Benfica’s members. We want to increase the number of members. We want to increase by about 50,000 members per year until 2029. We want to bring Benfica closer to its members. Associativism is not just the fans out there, but also you here at BTV. To be united again so that we can be feared again."

Refereeing

"Changing the competitive framework is something we urgently need to do. Benfica must be uncompromising when it comes to attacks on the club. Refereeing? Benfica will become vigilant. With the new Technical Director and even with small things, with the creation of a new VAR center in Porto... we will be very attentive."

The legacy I would like to leave

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