As it turns out, Jan-Niklas Beste’s stint with Benfica was shorter than he had anticipated. Having signed a contract that would keep him at the club until 2029 just last summer, the 26-year-old midfielder had envisioned a five-year tenure. However, in a recent interview with Bild, Beste revealed that one of the key factors contributing to his underwhelming experience in Lisbon was the sudden dismissal of Roger Schmidt. The German player confessed that Schmidt’s departure caught him off guard, and he only learned about it through the media. “Sometimes, unexpected things happen… He really wanted to sign me,” Beste reminisced, now a part of Friburgo.
The era under Schmidt at Benfica came to an abrupt end after the fourth matchday of the league, following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Moreirense at home. Notably, Beste wasn’t even called up for that particular encounter, but what left him more stunned was the swift aftermath of that negative result. “We had a game away, and we drew. The next day, we trained normally. When I got home in the afternoon, I saw on the internet that we no longer had a coach. I’d never experienced anything like that before. I also didn’t think it would happen so quickly,” he recounted.
Beste shared another interesting detail about his interaction with Schmidt after the coach’s dismissal. He sent a brief message to Schmidt, to which the coach responded, expressing his regret over the abrupt conclusion of his tenure. This exchange offered a glimpse into the cordial relationship between the two, despite the unexpected turn of events. It’s clear that Beste holds Schmidt in high regard, and their parting was not without a sense of mutual respect and appreciation. As Beste navigates his new chapter with Friburgo, it’s evident that his time at Benfica, though short-lived, has provided valuable lessons and insights into the unpredictable world of professional football.