Jose Mourinho’s Heart Set On Portugal Job, Not Benfica, Says Presidential Candidate

The Special One might already be planning his next move.

Benfica’s presidential candidate Joao Diogo Manteigas has stirred controversy by claiming that Jose Mourinho, the club’s current manager, is not in it for the long haul — and has his eyes firmly set on managing the Portugal national team.

Manteigas, speaking ahead of the upcoming Benfica presidential election, described Mourinho as “a winner capable of making Benfica champions this year” but not a coach with a long-term vision for the Lisbon giants.

“He’s not a coach with a future here. Everyone in football knows Mourinho wants to be the national team coach,” Manteigas said.

The comments come barely a month after Mourinho made a dramatic return to Benfica, 25 years after his short first stint. His appointment was hailed as a “homecoming” for one of Portugal’s greatest football tacticians. But according to Manteigas, the veteran’s ambitions go beyond club football.

Mourinho’s Short-Term Mission At Benfica

Since signing a two-year deal to replace Bruno Lage, Mourinho has quickly injected discipline, structure, and belief into the team — leading Benfica to a 3–0 win over AVS in his first game. However, Manteigas insists that Mourinho’s contract includes an escape clause allowing either side to end the deal after this season with compensation.

“If Mourinho had been interested in staying, he wouldn’t have signed for one season with a clause like that,” Manteigas added.

Why The Portugal Job Makes Sense

Mourinho has never hidden his desire to coach the national team. Even during his unveiling at Benfica, he admitted:

“I always thought I’d come back to the national team. One day it will happen — it’s a natural consequence of my career.”

With Roberto Martínez’s future reportedly tied to Portugal’s World Cup performance, Mourinho could be positioning himself for the role he has long coveted — leading his country on the international stage.

At Sports Market International, we keep a close eye on stories that blend ambition, legacy, and leadership — the forces shaping football’s most compelling figures.

So, could we finally see The Special One in the dugout for Portugal? Or will Benfica’s project reignite Mourinho’s passion for club football?

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