Bruno Lage has packed his bags at Benfica, but his exit isn’t just a quiet goodbye. The coach, who had a contract running until 2026, made a clear statement with his departure terms. He chose to give up any severance pay for himself. This wasn’t a surprise; he had already promised this publicly during his last press conference.
Lage only asked for his salary for September. Beyond that, Benfica still owes the coach, who hails from Setúbal, a bonus for getting the team into the Champions League. The club has confirmed they will pay this amount. It seems a clean break was important to him personally.
However, Lage did draw a line when it came to his coaching staff. While he walked away from his own financial entitlements, he insisted his technical team receive everything they were owed. He demanded these payments be made right away. For Lage, it was about standing up for those who worked beside him.
Perhaps the most telling demand from the now ex-Benfica coach involves his freedom to speak. He flatly refused to include a confidentiality clause in his departure agreement. This means he won’t be forced into silence. Lage will be free to discuss his past year spent on the bench for the “Reds” at the Estádio da Luz. He clearly wants to keep the option open to share his side of the story.