Portuguese club remain unbeaten in the league this season but in danger of missing Champions League qualification
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho says his future at the club will not be decided by whether the team secures a place in next season’s Champions League qualifiers amid continued links with a return to Real Madrid.
Mourinho, who is under contract until 2027, has a clause allowing either himself or Benfica to end the agreement at the conclusion of the season. Speculation over his future has intensified in recent weeks, with the former Madrid coach reportedly among the candidates being considered at the Bernabéu.
Speaking ahead of Benfica’s final league game against Estoril on Saturday, Mourinho dismissed suggestions that the result would determine whether he stays.
“No. I’m talking about Benfica, you’re talking about Real,” Mourinho told reporters. “As far as I’m concerned, the work we’ve been doing won’t change whether we finish second or third. That’s not what will make the difference. Of course Benfica wants to play in the Champions League and I’d prefer that too, but it has no bearing on the decision.”
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup during his time in Spain.
The Portuguese coach insisted he would only address questions over his future once the season has ended.
“The final week of the league isn’t for thinking about the future or contracts,” Mourinho said. “It’s for focusing on the task at hand, which is to pull off a miracle. I think you understand what I mean by a miracle.
“From the moment we entered this final stage of the campaign, I decided I didn’t want to listen to anyone, that I wanted to be isolated in my workspace.
“I have the right to have isolated myself. I haven’t spoken to anyone from another club. I haven’t spoken to anyone from any club. It made no sense to do anything other than focus. It doesn’t sound like a farewell, it sounds like the respect I have for them [Benfica].
“As I said a couple of weeks ago, there’s a match at Estoril [on Saturday] and from Monday onwards, I’ll be able to answer questions about my future as manager and that of Benfica’s future.”
Benfica’s hopes of finishing second suffered a setback after Monday’s 2-2 draw with Braga left them third in the Primeira Liga, two points behind Sporting with one game remaining.
Although Benfica remain unbeaten in the league this season, they now need to beat Estoril and hope Sporting lose to Gil Vicente to move into second place. Porto have already secured direct qualification for next season’s Champions League, while the runners-up will enter the qualifying rounds.
