Jose Mourinho has indicated he wants to remain in charge of Benfica beyond this season, despite admitting their hopes of winning the league title have effectively ended.
The Portuguese coach, who is under contract until 2027 but has an option to leave earlier, made it clear he intends to stay in his homeland, and would like that to be with his current club.
“Jorge Mendes is my agent, but I am in charge of my own decision. My decision is that I would like to continue at Benfica.”
Benfica’s 1-1 draw with Casa Pia at the weekend has left them trailing in the title race, with Porto now holding a significant advantage – seven points – at the top of the Primeira Liga.
With only a handful of matches remaining, Mourinho acknowledged the result has likely ended their challenge. despite the fact that they have still not lost a league game this term.
“You say we’ve dropped two points; I’d say we’ve lost our last chance to fight for the title,” he said.
“We’re no longer in control of our own destiny when it comes to finishing second. Even if we won every game – which would be extremely difficult, but possible, Sporting would also have to drop two points. But the aim is to fight for this.
“If we didn’t win this game, the title race would be over.”
With the title now seemingly out of reach, Mourinho admitted his focus may shift away from this season.
“I have to think carefully, as a whole, because, at this moment, I wanted to stop playing some players, but there are higher values at stake.
“They are assets, even if I didn’t want to continue with some of them. At the sporting level, the achievable goal is to finish in second place, depending on other results.”
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