LISBON (PORTUGAL) (ITALPRESS) – “It’s true, on Wednesday I received a contract renewal offer from Benfica. The offer was sent to both me and my agent, but I didn’t want to see it. I’ll look at it and analyze it only starting on Sunday.” This was stated in a press conference on the eve of the final league match away to Estoril, Benfica coach José Mourinho, regarding his future. The “Eagles” are playing for Champions League qualification in the final 90 minutes of the season, aiming for second place, which is worth qualifying, but that belongs to Sporting, who have a two-point advantage over their fellow city rivals and host Gil Vicente. It’s going to be a tough one for the team, who, however, don’t want any distractions. “Benfica is much more important than me, it’s bigger than me, than any other coach, player, or president, so there’s no problem there’s no need to worry if someone leaves, but only about the importance of Benfica,” says the former Inter coach, according to the Spanish press, the man chosen by Florentino Perez to revive Real Madrid and bring order to a locker room that seems in disarray.
“I’ve never received an offer from Real Madrid. Neither the president nor other directors have spoken to me about a possible proposal, but even if they had, I would have behaved exactly as I did with Benfica,” Mourinho explains, implying that he will evaluate everything only after the last league match. “Next week will be important for my future, but also and above all for that of Benfica, which, once the season is over, must immediately think about next season. But we still have a contract and therefore a few days to think before making any decision,” explains the “special one,” who says he is disappointed by what’s happening at the “Casa Blanca,” including dressing room arguments (Valverde-Tchouameni) and misunderstandings (Arbeloa-Mbappé, the latest incident that broke out yesterday). “I feel sorry for Arbeloa, he’s a friend, and when he was my player, he gave me everything, and he gave everything to Real Madrid, and now that he’s a coach, he continues to do so in his new role, but that’s the life of a coach.” Florentino Perez is also in trouble, challenged by the Bernabeu and criticized for statements he’s made in recent days: “I don’t comment on presidents, least of all on Florentino.”
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
