The question was about Newcastle, more precisely if it had ever refused to coach its opponent this Tuesday in a match on the 3rd round of the Champions League league stage, but José Mourinho took the opportunity to swear his love to… Benfica.
“I’ve never turned down Newcastle. I’ve turned down a few clubs, with respect, but Newcastle have never contacted me. To be honest, they don’t need a manager. That means everything is fine for the club and for Eddie [Howe]and that’s what I wish for them. At this point in my career, there would be no other club that motivated me as much and made me happier than Benfica. I wouldn’t trade Benfica for any other club in the world right now”he stated, at the game’s launch press conference.
The Reds’ coach took the pressure off his players’ shoulders by de-dramatizing the impact of the result at St. James Park for the elections on the 25th and for continuing in the Champions League. “In relation to the elections, playing, training for Benfica, in itself, involves pressure, responsibility, and playing for Benfica is not for everyone. But the pressure of being a coach, a Benfica player, is enough to bring extra pressure in the elections. I don’t think it’s fair and I don’t think we have to be prepared for that. We prepared for the Chaves game and we will prepare for Saturday’s game, with Arouca, forgetting that there are elections. Our job is another and that’s what we need to focus on”stressed the Setubalense, highlighting that “18 points are up for grabs” and that, “after tomorrow’s game, there will be 15. “If we score 15 points, we qualify. Tomorrow’s game is not decisive, but we will play thinking that it is, that it is our chance, but it is not”he stressed.
Mourinho warned that Newcastle are worth more than their 13th place in the Premier League makes them seem. “Tomorrow, we play against a very strong team. They look at the Premier classification and are mistaken when it comes to the potential of this team. Very organized, players handpicked for Eddie’s idea. Tremendously physical team, strong in direct play, four fast wingers, two playing and two on the bench. The stadium plays with them. People come here to play with their team. It’s an extremely complicated game for us, but also for them”he previewed, confessing that, due to Bobby Robson’s influence, Newcastle “has always been a dear club” for him.
The Benfica coach once again said that he wouldn’t sign a draw before the game, although acknowledging that he “said the same” before the defeat against Chelsea: “Maybe we should have accepted the draw.”
Mourinho also revealed that Manu Silva “will be able to join the team’s normal work” from next week and “I would almost venture to say that at the end of November, he will be in a position to play”.
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