Mourinho denies £15m-a-year Benfica salary, says he's 'in the red'

Jose Mourinho has denied reports that he is earning about £15 million per year at Benfica, saying he is 'in the red' after returning to the Lisbon club. The 62-year-old was unveiled as Benfica's manager last week on a two-year contract at the club where he began his managerial career in 2000, after a stint as a free agent since being sacked by Fenerbahce last month. Portuguese media had circulated claims that his two-season package could approach £30 million, with projections of around £14 million in the first year and roughly £15.7 million in the second.

Speaking after his unveiling and ahead of the new season, Mourinho asserted that the figures circulating about his wage were inaccurate. 'If I had stayed at home until the end of the season, I would have earned more than I did at Benfica. It's that simple.' He added: 'Staying at home is not for me.' He also framed the Benfica job as a financial step only one of many considerations, stressing that money is not the sole currency in football for him. Mourinho has picked up four points from his first two matches in the Portuguese top flight.

Benfica's return to the bench marks the latest in a long coaching career that now spans 12 separate stints at 10 clubs. Mourinho has won the Champions League with Porto and claimed Premier League titles during his first spell at Chelsea, with further trophies earned across Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Roma. A contract clause disclosed by the Portuguese outlet Record allows either party to terminate during the initial 10 days after the end of the current season, with Benfica facing significantly lower costs if they cut ties early. The clause also covers the scenario in which Mourinho resigns, in which case the compensation would be the equivalent amount.

Regardless of salary talk, Mourinho stressed that financial terms are not the only reward in coaching. 'Putting myself to the test, taking risks, being subject to winning, losing, being very good one day and terrible the next,' he said, 'these are things that fuel me and take me out of my comfort zone.' He also echoed a common refrain about truth and perception, saying, 'If a lie is repeated enough times, people think it's true.'

Benfica have collected four points from six in Mourinho's first two league games, underscoring a cautious but optimistic start to his return to Portugal. The club's leadership has indicated that the project with Mourinho centers on restoring a title bid in a league long dominated by Sporting and Porto, and the manager himself has signaled that the road ahead will be challenging.