Former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has endured a difficult time since taking over from Portuguese giants Benfica, but supporters are now taking matters into their own hands.
Jose Mourinho was appointed to Benfica earlier this season (Image: Getty Images)
Benfica’s ultras raided the club’s training ground in a bid to get answers about the Portuguese giants’ poor form under manager Jose Mourinho. The former Manchester United and Chelsea manager was appointed in September following a spell at Fenerbahce.
However, it wasn’t the homecoming that fans and the club had hoped for. Benfica are currently unbeaten in the Portuguese league, but are in third place, 10 points behind leaders Porto.
They also face a real threat of being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup and missing out on a place in the Champions League play-offs. Since then, fans have taken matters into their own hands.
According to Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha, 200 fans stormed Seixal’s training ground and demanded a meeting with club officials, including Mourinho, technical director Simao Sabrosa and captain Nicolas Otamendi.
Initially, four members of the group were allowed entry before requesting the rest of the group to join. Police were called in to maintain order, but supporters were allowed entry, insisting they were protesting peacefully.
read more: Champions League urges immediate action for ‘major changes to the FA Cup’read more: Jose Mourinho takes subtle aim at Manchester United after Michael Carrick takes over as manager
The fan eventually managed to speak to Mourinho, Simao and Otamendi at the training ground and left after an hour. President Rui Costa has already expressed his views on the current situation.
Asked if the club might consider keeping Mourinho as manager, he replied: “No. He’s a good manager and he’s already proven that. It’s not an easy season. Change the manager? That’s out of the question.”
Asked if the club might make further additions, Costa added: “I can’t promise anything, but we will wait and see until the end of the transfer window. As you know, we have already talked about the sporting aspect. This is not a positive year.”
Fans also cheered on captain Nicolas Otamendi (Image: Getty Images)
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“We will fight until the last second for our goal. We still have to fight for the championship.”
Benfica face Estrela da Amadora in the league on Sunday, before resuming their Champions League match against Mourinho’s former club Real Madrid. The Portuguese side must win to ensure a place in the play-offs and will be hoping for a result.
Mourinho has a contract with Benfica until 2027, but his contract includes a release clause, meaning he could part ways with his employers after this season.
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