Benfica’s Portuguese manager, Jose Mourinho, addressed the media ahead of his team’s upcoming match against Famalicao, and he dismissed rumors linking him to Real Madrid.
Regarding the reported interest from Real Madrid: “No, no one from Real Madrid has spoken to me, I can guarantee that. I have been in football for many years, just like you in journalism, and we are used to these things, but nothing from Real Madrid.”
On a potential departure in the summer: “Nothing. I cannot say anything more. I already told your colleague that concerning Real Madrid, there is nothing, and concerning Benfica, you know the situation. I have one year left on my contract with Benfica, and that is it.”
His current focus: “I am concerned with giving my best, more for the club and the players than for myself. Now it is Famalicao, then Sp. Braga, then Estoril, and then I will keep working a bit more, and only then will the holidays arrive.”
On stability at clubs: “The longer a coach stays at a club, the more he takes ownership of the team, the more he takes ownership of the squad… it is a normal process. Look at examples like Arsenal and Manchester City, who have had the same coach for six or seven years; obviously, all details belong to their coaches. Coaches who come and go find it harder to leave their mark. We will see.”
