Martim Mayer recently sat down with CMTV. He pulled no punches, weighing in on two hot topics at Benfica: José Mourinho’s arrival and the bonus paid to staff. Club president Rui Costa insists the bonus has nothing to do with next month’s elections. But Mayer had plenty to say, even criticizing another figure, João Noronha Lopes, for his comments about Ruben Amorim.
Mourinho: A Timely Move or an Election Ploy?
Many wonder if bringing José Mourinho back to Benfica was a smart move by Rui Costa, especially with elections so close. Mayer agreed that given the team’s struggles and the pressure on the club, letting go of Lage and hiring a new coach was necessary. Mourinho, he said, has a stellar record, but now he needs to prove himself all over again.
Still, the timing raised eyebrows. The deal came just 30 days before Benfica’s elections. Mayer expressed concern about the financial side of Mourinho’s contract. He had previously asked Rui Costa not to gamble with Benfica’s future, especially regarding TV rights, and to consider the end of his term when making big decisions. Yet, the fine print of Mourinho’s deal remains a secret. Mayer felt things could have been handled better.
Mayer also took aim at other candidates, like João Noronha Lopes. He believes they created instability. These candidates spread rumors about coaches in England, like Ruben Amorim, then “went quiet.” Mayer said he does not like such actions. He believes his job is to protect Benfica’s stability. As a former high-level athlete, he knows player psychology is key. Mayer pointed out that those who stir up trouble from outside are responsible for negative impacts, like before the Qarabag game. Members, he insisted, must understand who has hidden agendas and who truly protects the club, rather than those just vying for power. He directly challenged João Noronha Lopes, accusing him of trying to force an interim coach before the elections. Mayer felt this was an attempt to hurt the club. He stressed that the president had every right to make decisions with seven games left in the season. Mayer described Noronha Lopes as “sly,” noting how his true intentions became clear in this situation.
The Election Bonus: Coincidence or Strategy?
Rui Costa confirmed that the bonus given to employees was not linked to the upcoming elections. Mayer offered three points of view. First, he has no doubt Benfica’s staff are excellent and deserve bonuses. Second, he acknowledged that the club’s financial results allowed the president to make this choice. But then came the kicker: “A month before elections, if it’s innocent? Even a blind man sees…” Mayer didn’t think much more needed to be said. He believes it was an attempt to pat members on the head, not quite “buy” them, but certainly win favor.
Benfica’s Financial Health: A Fragile Picture
Mayer also painted a worrying picture of Benfica’s finances. The club faces a 70 million euro annual deficit in regular income. This means if players are not sold, 70 million euros are missing every season. Over four years, that adds up to 280 million euros. He urged caution. A single year’s financial report is just a snapshot, he explained. Four years, however, is like watching a movie. The longer view reveals an organization’s true weaknesses and strengths. Benfica, he concluded, is currently fragile.
Mayer then outlined his own ideas for fixing the financial situation:
- Cost Reduction: He mentioned 162 million euros in costs. He believes the club can achieve 20% efficiency through worker motivation, aiming to cut costs in half.
- Benfica Global Project: This initiative targets Angola and Mozambique. He expects to bring in 15 million dollars from each country after two years. This also includes engaging the large local Benfica fan communities, which are huge pillars of the club.
- Commercial Improvements: There’s much to do with merchandising, match day income, and ticket sales.
- Stadium Expansion: He aims to fix the problem of 23,000 members who cannot attend games. His proposed project would add 15,000 seats. This expansion, self-financed, would bring in an extra 15 million euros per year once completed, which would take 24 to 36 months.
A Different Path for the Bonus
Asked if he would have given the employee bonus in Rui Costa’s position, Mayer admitted it was a “beautiful” and “excellent” idea. However, his priority would be Benfica’s stable financial health. He would tell everyone that the club was still recovering from past losses and there was no room for such bonuses yet. That, he said, is where he would start.
While he thought the annual financial review was good and should have been approved, he found the consolidated four-year financial outlook “fragile” and “bad.” Benfica, he stressed, relies on selling talented players, like João Neves, to fill that 70 million euro hole in its recurring revenue. Without player sales, costs outweigh income. This imbalance leads to poor sporting decisions and, ultimately, fewer titles. The goal isn’t just to make money, Mayer insisted, but to win trophies. And to do that, the right financial conditions must first be created.