Jose Mourinho has rubbished reports that he is earning close to £15million per year at Benfica, insisting that taking the job has actually cost him financially — but stressing that he returned for the challenge, not the pay cheque.
The 62-year-old was unveiled as Benfica’s new manager last week, signing a two-year deal to return to the club where he first stepped into senior management in 2000.
The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid boss had been out of work since leaving Fenerbahce last month after the Turkish club failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Reports in Portugal claimed Mourinho’s deal would be worth nearly £30m across two seasons, with an estimated £14m in his first year followed by £15.7m in the second.
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However, Mourinho has now moved to quash those suggestions, saying that staying at home would have earned him more.
“If I had stayed at home until the end of the season, I would have earned more than I will at Benfica. It’s that simple,” Mourinho said.
“If I had spent time with my family, stayed in London, gone to the Algarve, taken some trips — I would have earned more. I’m not even here for nothing; I’m in the red.
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Jose Mourinho has made a winning start to life at Benfica
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“And why? Because I enjoy working. I missed competing for the title. I couldn’t do that in Rome, nor at Fenerbahce.
“Benfica gives me that unique opportunity as a coach and as a person. Staying at home is not for me.”
Mourinho’s return marks the 12th job of a glittering managerial career that has taken him across Europe’s top leagues.
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Jose Mourinho is confident he can bring the good times back to Benfica | GETTYSince his brief 10-match spell at Benfica in 2000, he has lifted the Champions League with Porto, claimed two Premier League titles in his first stint at Chelsea, and delivered domestic and European honours with Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Roma.
He has taken four points from his first two Primeira Liga matches since rejoining Benfica, with the Lisbon club hoping he can deliver a league title and re-establish them as a force in Europe.
When asked why he would accept a job that leaves him financially worse off, Mourinho said that money is not his main motivation.
“Putting myself to the test, taking risks, living with winning and losing, being very good one day and terrible the next — that is what fuels me and takes me out of my comfort zone,” he explained.
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Jose Mourinho insists he's up for the challenge of managing Benfica
| REUTERSDespite his commitment, questions remain over how long Mourinho will stay.
Portuguese outlet Record has reported that his contract includes a clause allowing either party to terminate the deal in the first 10 days after the end of the season.
If Benfica decide to part ways, they would reportedly pay a significantly reduced compensation package compared to dismissing him later in the year. The same clause would apply if Mourinho were to resign, requiring him to compensate the club with an equivalent sum.
Whether Mourinho’s second stint at Estádio da Luz proves to be a long-term reunion or another short chapter in his storied career remains to be seen. What is clear is that the veteran manager is motivated by the lure of silverware rather than a record-breaking salary.