José Mourinho (62) did not take napkins before the Champions League duel with Juventus. The coach of Benfica questioned the trend where coaches without a significant coaching background get to positions in the biggest clubs. He did not name anyone, but the allusions were clearly aimed at his former employers as well.
The Portuguese responded to a question regarding his Juventus counterpart Luciano Spalletti, whose appointment he said did not surprise him and wishes him success. “For me, the surprise is something else. When coaches with no history, no results, get the chance to lead the biggest clubs in the world. That’s a real surprise,” Mourinho said at a press conference.
On the contrary, he is clear about experienced names. “When AC Milan hires (Massimiliano) Allegri, Juventus Spalletti or AS Roma (Giano Piero) Gasperini, it’s no surprise. We’re talking about great coaches,” stated “It’s surprising when people who haven’t done anything yet get jobs with huge responsibilities,” he reiterated.
????️ José Mourinho on Juventus ???? Benfica: «It’s a final like all the others»#JUVSLB | #UCL pic.twitter.com/uC5fZkoIjf
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) January 20, 2026
Although Mourinho did not name anyone, the context was clear. Liam Rosenior is new at Chelsea, Michael Carrick is the interim manager of Manchester United, Real Madrid entrusted the team to Álvaro Arbelo and Inter hired Cristian Chivu shortly after the beginning of their coaching careers. They are all clubs Mourinho has managed in the past.
When asked if he would be interested in returning to Real Madrid, he answered in the negative. “Don’t get me started on soap operas. There are good ones, but they’re all long. And if you don’t see a few episodes, you don’t know what it’s about. I don’t watch them,” he concluded sarcastically.
Benfica are as low as 28th in the Champions League and are in dire need of points in Turin on Wednesday night if they are to stay in contention for a place in the play-offs.
