LISBON – Rui Costa, the current president of Portuguese football club Benfica, has pledged to bring in a new ‘chief scout’ if he wins the upcoming second round of club elections on November 8, outlining a strategic shift in player recruitment. The move underscores his commitment to strengthening the club’s scouting network and prioritizing internal talent.
Costa, speaking on BTV, said he has “everything agreed” with a new chief scout, whose identity remains confidential as the individual is currently employed elsewhere. This new hire would reinforce Benfica’s existing scouting team, which Costa described as “excellent.”
The commitment comes as part of Costa’s broader vision for the club, which includes a strong focus on financial prudence and a rejection of external investors. He firmly stated that Benfica “belongs to its members” and that he would “never jeopardize” that ownership structure.
He emphasized the importance of a unified club following the elections, regardless of the outcome, calling for the “Benfica family” to unite behind the leadership. Costa expressed honor at the record-breaking turnout in the initial election round.
Regarding the January transfer window, Costa indicated a focus on the club’s current squad and homegrown talent. He acknowledged the market’s difficulty, noting that national players often command higher prices than international ones.
Any transfer decisions would be a joint effort involving himself, Mário Branco, and head coach José Mourinho, who is under a two-year contract. Costa praised Mourinho as “one of the best coaches of the modern era” capable of developing young players.
Benfica has already implemented a salary cap, which Costa credits with restructuring the squad and enhancing the club’s financial stability. He confirmed that the club’s total debt has decreased, despite an increase in net debt attributed to COVID-19 and stadium renovations.
The club aims to boost annual revenues to $535 million through initiatives like “Benfica District” and new sponsorships. Costa described these revenue-generating efforts as “more audacious and aggressive.”
He also addressed player retention, acknowledging the challenge of keeping top talent with “financial colossus” clubs entering the market. Benfica relies on release clauses as a defense mechanism, though these do not always reflect a player’s true market value.
The club president highlighted the success of Benfica’s academy, which has seen 23 players debut in the first team in the past four years. He maintains that the academy is “the best in the world” for producing athletes for its senior squad.
Looking ahead, Costa said negotiations for centralized television rights for the 2026-2028 period are ongoing, with offers exceeding initial proposals. He intends for Benfica’s home games to continue broadcasting on BTV to maximize revenue without losing viewership.
Costa also expressed his disapproval of public “bickering” in Portuguese football, stating that Benfica, as a major institution, would always defend its interests but not engage in such conduct.
On membership, he reported reaching 400,000 members and aims for 500,000, with plans to expand the stadium capacity to 70,000 to accommodate the long waiting list for season tickets. He stressed that members are “not customers.”