Mourinho denies “war” at Benfica: Respect for Porto and Sporting

Mourinho denies war with Porto and Sporting after his arrival at Benfica

José Mourinho has stated that his return to Benfica is not aimed at starting a “war” against FC Porto or Sporting CP, his former rivals in Portuguese football. The 62-year-old coach, who returned to Portuguese football last week, 21 years after leaving Porto to manage Chelsea, sought to calm tensions.

I don’t think they [Porto and Sporting] will be upset if I say that, after joining Benfica, I spoke with the president of Porto, [Andre] Villas-Boas, and with the president of Sporting, [Frederico] Varandas.

Mourinho

Mourinho made these statements after Benfica’s 3-0 victory over AVS on Saturday. The coach generated controversy among Porto fans with his comments at his presentation, where he described his arrival at Benfica, the club where he began his coaching career in 2000, as a “huge honor.” He added that no club he had managed before had “motivated him more than being Benfica’s coach.”

Mourinho tried to reduce the tension with his former club on Saturday.

I didn’t come to Benfica to bother Porto. I came to Benfica to enjoy the opportunity to coach a club with ambitions to win at a high level again. I didn’t come to bother anyone. By saying that Benfica is one of the biggest clubs in the world, I’m not saying that Porto isn’t.

Mourinho

The Portuguese coach expects a hostile reception when his team visits the Dragão stadium on October 5 to face Porto in the league. A group of FC Porto fans insulted Mourinho on Friday night during their team’s 3-0 victory over Rio Ave, a few days after the former Fenerbahce coach received a standing ovation when he attended Porto’s 1-0 victory against Nacional.

Now, of course, I don’t expect to be applauded at the Dragão in two weeks. I played at the Dragão when I was in charge of Chelsea, and I wasn’t applauded at all, let alone going to the Dragão as Benfica’s coach, but it’s part of life. FC Porto is a very important part of my history, and I am a very important part of FC Porto’s history. FC Porto wants to win, we want to win, there’s no more story.

Mourinho

Mourinho won two Primeira Liga titles, the Taça de Portugal, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League during his two seasons in charge of Porto.