Benfica president Rui Costa dismissed speculation about Jose Mourinho's position, stating the manager has a contract for another year and the two sides are in tune. This comes after a 1-1 draw with Casa Pia that dented the team's Primeira Liga title hopes. Mourinho himself acknowledged the result likely ended their championship challenge.
Benfica sit third in the Primeira Liga table, two points behind Sporting CP and seven adrift of leaders FC Porto, following the weekend's 1-1 draw against Casa Pia at Estadio da Luz. The Lisbon club remain unbeaten in the league this season but now face an uphill battle with few matches left. Mourinho, who took over from Bruno Lage in September, expressed frustration after the result, saying, “You say we’ve dropped two points; I’d say we’ve lost our last chance to fight for the title.” He added that even winning all remaining games would require Sporting to drop points to secure second place, and that failing to beat Casa Pia effectively ended the title race. Rui Costa, speaking to A Bola, emphasized Mourinho's ongoing commitment. “Jose Mourinho has a contract for another year, it’s not an issue right now,” the former Portugal midfielder said. “We are in tune.” Costa described the draw as unexpected and damaging, urging the team to fight until the end and erase the poor image from that match.