José Mourinho has stated that his return to Benfica is not aimed at starting a “war” against FC Porto or Sporting CP, the current champions of the Portuguese league. The 62-year-old coach, who returned to Portuguese football last week, did so 21 years after leaving Porto to manage Chelsea.
Mourinho made these statements after Benfica’s 3-0 victory over AVS on Saturday. The coach generated controversy among Porto fans with his comments during his presentation. He described his appointment at Benfica, the club where he began his coaching career in 2000, as a “tremendous honor”, adding that no club he has managed before has “motivated him more than being Benfica’s coach”.I don’t think they (Porto and Sporting) will mind if I say that, after joining Benfica, I spoke with the president of Porto, André Villas-Boas, and with the president of Sporting, Frederico Varandas.
Mourinho
The Portuguese coach expects a cold 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.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
Now, of course, I don’t expect to be applauded at the Dragão in two weeks. I played at the Dragão while 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 to the story.
Mourinho
