Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Jose Mourinho, Benfica, Portugal
Jack Kenmare
Benfica have included a break clause in Jose Mourinho's contract that can be triggered as early as next summer.
Mourinho was unveiled as Benfica's new head coach on Thursday, just weeks after being sacked by Turkish side Fenerbahce following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
The self-proclaimed 'Special One' has penned a two-year deal with the Portuguese outfit and is set to pocket around €6 million (£5.2m) per season at the Estadio da Luz, according to Salary Leaks.
As he was presented to the media during a press conference this week, Benfica club president Rui Costa mentioned that a special clause has been inserted into Mourinho's contract.
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Costa, who could leave Benfica next month amid the upcoming presidential elections, did not disclose any specifics, although he confirmed that Benfica and Mourinho have the option to part ways at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
"There's a clause at the end of the season that leaves the club the option of continuing with the coach or not," he said.
Costa added: "We're hiring a coach for Benfica who's not indifferent at the global level; he's one of the most highly regarded names in the world. We're securing Benfica's future with an excellent coach."
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It has since been reported that the clause in question will give whoever is elected president in October the opportunity to part ways with Mourinho without a hefty compensation payment.
A report from Portuguese outlet O Jogo explained how the clause will work both ways.
"Either party can terminate the contract within the first ten days after the end of the last official match of the season, at significantly lower costs than paying the 2026/27 season's salaries," the report says.
"In other words, if Benfica fires Jose Mourinho, it will pay a significantly lower portion than if it had to pay compensation for the remainder of the contract. And if Mourinho decides to leave for another club, terminating the contract, he will have to pay Benfica an equivalent amount."
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At the media unveiling on Thursday, Costa was asked if Mourinho was an 'electoral asset' for him in the presidential race.
"I'm here as president of Benfica, I'm choosing a coach for Benfica. It confuses me that these terms are used," he said.
"Our obligation is the future of the club, and not thinking about elections would mean leaving the club without a coach until the elections."
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"Mourinho is Benfica's coach because we believe he has all the credentials to lead a club like ours," added Costa. "We felt we had to change the coaching staff, and he needed a coach capable of managing a club of this size."