João Diogo Manteigas stepped into the Casa do Benfica in Covilhã with a message. He wasn’t there for pleasantries, but to stir the pot. The lawyer called for a big shake-up, pushing for fresh faces in the club’s elections on October 25. Speaking to Record, Manteigas made it clear: he wants Benfica back at the heart of key decisions. He then laid out his game plan for the club, should voters choose him.
His vision extends beyond just winning games. Manteigas intends to present a completely new sports model for youth training. This is a core idea, he says, because his entire sports project rests heavily on their academy. If elected, he plans immediate meetings. These include top officials from the Portuguese Football Federation, Liga Portugal, the Lisbon Football Association, and the club’s own technical staff. But it’s not all about the pitch; Manteigas also promised a deep dive into Benfica’s business dealings. This means a careful review of supplier contracts and a mandatory forensic audit to check the books.
Manteigas detailed how he would engage with the wider football system. He wants to talk with Liga Portugal about centralizing TV rights. He also plans to propose changes to how competitive leagues are structured, bringing this idea to all other clubs. Refereeing is another hot topic for him. He aims to discuss it directly with Pedro Proença at the Federation. Manteigas stressed, "We want to be part of changing Portuguese football. And Portuguese football really needs to change."
The 43-year-old lawyer has no doubts about Benfica’s proper standing. He believes the club must reclaim its top spot. This means sporting dominance and a seat at the table with those who truly run sports. Benfica, he argues, should be shaping the strategic future of Portuguese football and other club sports. He doesn’t think Benfica should fight the system. Instead, he believes the club must be within the system, talking to everyone and solving problems, even tricky ones like refereeing.
For Manteigas, the path ahead is clear and singular. He demands change, not just for the club but for all of Portuguese football. He feels Benfica has endured too much hardship, both recently and in the past. "The time is now," he stated, "otherwise, it will be too late." He openly criticized the current leadership, saying Rui Costa won the 2021 elections but "showed he wasn’t ready." Manteigas added, "He won’t be ready for what’s coming." He feels Costa didn’t rise to the challenge. While Manteigas believes Costa deserves a dignified exit, he argues that the past four years were a big missed chance to truly make a difference.