Benfica presidential outsider Cristóvão Carvalho has had to pivot after saying he’d sign Jurgen Klopp if he were to be elected.

The candidate made headlines with some bold and unfounded claims that he could convince Klopp to join Benfica even though the Red Bull boss has retired from coaching post-Liverpool.

He made the claims before incumbent Rui Costa landed Jose Mourinho, and has now had to change tack, while still targeting Klopp in the long run.

Carvalho told Now: “When I advocated for a coach with Jürgen Klopp’s profile, they said it was completely impossible.

“From the moment you hire Mourinho, who has a better track record and costs the same as Klopp, all the members who spoke to me said that my idea is a vision.

“Klopp has never shown unavailability. Nobody says no to Benfica. As long as there is a financially sustainable project, with a long-term plan, I am absolutely certain that I can bring Klopp in.”

He added: “Mourinho is not a project coach.

“He’s the best Portuguese coach of all time. Until now, I’ve wanted a project coach, and José Mourinho has never been one.

“I want a coach with spectacular, modern, attacking, and marketable football. Mourinho never did that. So far, it hasn’t happened at Benfica.

“But there was poor team planning, Mourinho will stay, especially because there’s a contract.”