Benfica finds itself in rough waters. A recent loss to Qarabag stung deep. Then came the news: coach Bruno Lage was sacked. Now, whispers of José Mourinho returning fill the air. This whole storm led Martim Mayer to speak out publicly. He did not hold back his strong opinions.
Club in Crisis: A Call for Change
Mayer’s first sharp words aimed straight at Rui Costa. Mayer sees Costa as the primary person responsible for the club’s current woes. But another figure, Noronha Lopes, also caught Mayer’s critical fire. Lopes had taken a trip to Manchester. He went to watch a local derby game there, a move Mayer questioned deeply.
“Enough of this mediocrity,” Mayer declared. “Enough of this losing culture. Enough of this Benfica without direction.” He believes the decision to fire Bruno Lage was terribly late. Mayer had actually stated this on July 9th. He told the media at his own campaign launch event that day. Time, he noted, proved him completely right. It was such a clear choice. Mayer finds it sad that only Rui Costa failed to see it. He feels the Benfica president only reacts to events. He does not plan for the future. Benfica’s problems, Mayer argued, are much deeper than just the coach. A new coach, he said bluntly, is merely “palliative care” for a bigger illness.
Mayer made these points in a public statement. Its title was very direct: “There’s only one Special One: Benfica.” He asks the current leadership to think very carefully. They must choose Lage’s successor wisely. The club elections are now just over a month away. Mayer asks Rui Costa to show real responsibility. “We have seven games until the elections,” he stated. “We absolutely must win them all.” Costa needs to find the best possible solution, Mayer explained. This choice must ensure needed victories. But it also must not tie the hands of the next Benfica president. It should avoid forcing the club to pay large indemnity clauses later. This was a clear hint about the possibility of hiring José Mourinho.
Electoral Games and Instability
Noronha Lopes also faced Mayer’s anger directly. Mayer views Lopes as a major “source of instability” for the club. He accused Lopes of spreading rumors about new players and coaches. Lopes also took photos at Premier League matches. Mayer called these actions purely for election purposes. Such acts, he argued, directly hurt Sport Lisboa e Benfica’s interests. They create huge instability within the team and its structure. “What we understand matters is a thirst for power,” Mayer said. “This is simply unacceptable. It does not protect the interests of our Benfica.” Mayer called for people to show consistency. He wants them to act according to what they say. Martim Mayer is one of six candidates currently running for the Benfica presidency. The elections are scheduled for October 25th.