Mourinho denies £15m-a-year mega salary as Benfica return: 'I'm in the red'
Portuguese coach says reports of a massive deal are false and that the move is driven by ambition rather than money.
Jose Mourinho has dismissed reports that he is earning £15million per year at Benfica, saying he would have earned more had he stayed at home. The Portuguese coach, 62, was unveiled as Benfica's manager last week on a two-year contract with the Lisbon club, where he began his managerial career in 2000. He had been a free agent since being sacked by Fenerbahce last month after their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Mourinho insisted that the salary figures circulating are inaccurate and that he is 'in the red' for taking the job back in his homeland. '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. I'm not even here for nothing; I'm in the red. And why? Because I really enjoy working. I missed playing for what Benfica is playing for: for the title. I couldn't do that in Rome, nor at Fenerbahce. It's a unique opportunity for me as a coach and as a person. Staying at home is not for me.'
Since taking charge, he has overseen 10 games in which Benfica have collected four points from their first two league matches of the season. The 12th stint of the Portuguese coach's managerial career has seen him lead 10 clubs. Mourinho's career has been decorated with silverware, including the Champions League with Porto and league titles in England and Italy with Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Roma.
However, there is no guarantee he will see out the full two-year contract. An exit clause disclosed by Portuguese media outlet Record indicates that either party can terminate within the first 10 days after the end of the current season, with Benfica facing significantly lower costs to part ways. If Mourinho resigns, he would owe the club an amount equivalent to the termination fee.
Benfica had four points from six in Mourinho's opening two league matches.
Mourinho emphasized that cash is not the sole reward in football, describing his return to Benfica as a test of resolve. '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.'