José Mourinho, Benfica’s manager, faced the media after a draw with Sporting Braga, addressing questions about his future and the swirling rumors linking him to Real Madrid. When asked whether Benfica fans deserve a clear answer on his plans, Mourinho insisted that the timing of any decision is his alone.
“Of course it’s up to me to give that answer. Have you ever seen me hide from my decisions or responsibilities? But no one will force me to decide or announce my choices—I dictate the moments. I’m not in a position to answer you right now. I’m not.”
He emphasized his focus on the remaining matches, particularly the season finale against Estoril: “Since the speculation began, there’s been only one thing on my mind: working hard and giving my best. That won’t change until the final game. That’s the respect Benfica deserves, and the respect my profession demands. And let no one touch that—unless some idiot dares to. No one should meddle with my professional dignity, my honesty, and my respect for a club like Benfica.”
Mourinho also clarified that he has not spoken to any other club, despite rumors about Real Madrid: “I haven’t spoken to anyone from another club. It could be Madrid, it could be any other. Since we entered the final phase of the season, it made no sense to focus on anything but my job. After Sunday, I’ll have the opportunity to discuss.”
Regarding his emotional defense of his players, which some interpreted as a farewell, he explained: “It doesn’t sound like a farewell. It sounds like the respect I have for them. And it’s a preemptive defense, because football can be harsh. The criticism they’ve faced seems deeply unfair. When I criticized them after the Casa Pia match, it came from my heart. That’s my nature—to always try to be fair to my players. Today, on a day when people think Benfica won’t finish second, I have to defend them because they deserve it. I’ll stop here because I don’t want to start next season with a suspension. There’s only one game left, just eight days. Usually, suspensions last 20, 30, 40 days, or four, five matches.”
When a journalist noted that a ban would only apply to the Portuguese league, Mourinho replied: “Hmm… even if it’s only the Portuguese league, I’ve had that happen in Rome—starting a season with a suspension from the previous one. It’s an odd situation, and not a good one. It happened after the Europa League final in my third season. It’s not good for me or my club. But, calm down—there’s only one week left.”