Comments on: Benfica’s Downfall

By: ursus arctos

ursus arctos — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:21:25 +0000

Hmmm.

Interesting that this comes up today. Conspiracy theorists will want to know that Empoli fired Malesani this morning.

By: Jorge Esteves

Jorge Esteves — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:00:11 +0000

Stephen, I look forward to see your butt in the first game next season at Estadio da Luz. Just a remark, we are not self proclaimed the biggest club in the world. It´s written all over the Guiness book of records.

By: Bet Blogger

Bet Blogger — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:13:38 +0000

Fair enough, thanks for putting me straight on that one. It was obviously just a scurrilous rumour I read and I didn’t think there was much in it, if I’m being honest. The latest on Jose is that he’s been linked to Inter after their exit against Liverpool in the Champions League but Mancini’s not sure what he’s doing from one day to the next at the minute!

By: Stephen Burrows

Stephen Burrows — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:40:27 +0000

Thanks for the positive feedback for my article.

Bet Blogger, if Mourinho reclaims the Benfica hotseat (let’s not forget he was SLB manager for 9 games in 2000) then I’ll gladly run around Estádio da Luz butt naked with “Eu adoro FC Porto” written across my chest for the first home game of the season. It will NEVER happen, if Mourinho were to ever return to Portuguese football, Benfica would be the last team on earth he would choose to manage. Mourinho loves Vítoria de Setúbal, he’s attended almost every home game since moving back to Portugal and I imagine they are the only team who could possibly tempt him back to management in Portuguese football, but that day is decades away.

The biggest name that I could envisage taking the job is Scolari, he’ll be leaving his post as national team manager this summer and may fancy a two year contract. He’ll certainly be approached by Benfica but the reality of the pressure involved in such a position will probably scare him off.

By: Bet Blogger

Bet Blogger — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:30:43 +0000

Nice article that, cheers! Just a point, there have been rumours that Jose Mourinho could be lined up as a possible manager in the summer. I know with his Porto connections that it may seem far-fetched but he likes a challenge, does Jose. I believe he’s holding out for Barca or another top side in Europe but, apparently, he fancies the Benfica job and was wondering if anyone else could shed some light on this?

By: Daily Dose 3.11.08 - World Football - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:16:26 +0000

[...] The joys of watching Benfica self-destruct (Pitch Invasion) [...]

By: ursus arctos

ursus arctos — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:36:12 +0000

Very nice piece, and good to see you posting here.

To a Fiorentina supporter who lives in Milan, the Rui Costa connection can only be seen as fascinating, and the fact that Malesani is probably one loss away from getting canned at Empoli may add a further spot of intrigue to the mix.

And your opening line dovetails perfectly with Spangles’ gufo post.

By: pate

pate — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:06:49 +0000

Freddy might start, but not until he gets back from Olympic qualifiers.