Benfica have indirectly distanced themselves from links to Jose Mourinho.
The Eagles last match saw them lose 2-1 to Sporting CP in the Lisbon derby, virtually ending their title hopes.
Having already been knocked out of the Taca da Liga by Sporting and the Taca de Portugal, Benfica could well end the season trophyless.
Reigning champions in the league, the pressure has piled on incumbent manager Roger Schmidt, who has a hefty €20million termination clause in his contract.
Both the media and the fans have gone after the German, which awkwardly coincides with Mourinho being present for the derby.
The treble-winning former Inter Milan manager has been out of work since being sacked by Roma in January, and he was born south of Lisbon, and briefly managed the team at the start of his career in 2000.
However, responding to the media piling pressure on Schmidt and throwing Mourinho’s name in the hat, Benfica released a statement which read: “Sport Lisboa e Benfica clarifies that the comments and information that point to the hiring of a new coach are completely false.”
There’s a twist in the tale, though, with A Bola claiming Benfica have studied hiring Mourinho, and that sporting director Rui Costa has established contact with his representatives.
In other words, watch this space…
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