Key Takeaways:
- Rui Costa has clarified details of José Mourinho’s contract, which includes a clause linked to Benfica’s election period rather than national team considerations
- The Benfica president confirmed that all his coaching agreements have been set for two years and specified that Mourinho must pay a sum if he elects to depart at season’s end
- Rui Costa dismissed plans for a major January transfer push and defended Richard Rios, who joined from South America for 27 million euros
Contract Particulars and Election Clause
Benfica president Rui Costa has expressed his approval of José Mourinho’s leadership, highlighting a key aspect of the manager’s current deal. Speaking about the 62-year-old’s contract, Costa clarified that the termination clause, which allows both parties to end their association after the present season, is specifically related to the club’s election period and holds no connection to potential national team matters.
Costa stated, “I thank José Mourinho for understanding the moment we were in as a club and that there could have been another candidate who could have won the elections. This situation also applies to Mourinho—if he leaves on his own initiative at the end of the season, he also has to pay this sum to Benfica. All the contracts I have concluded with coaches at Benfica have been for two years,” noted Rui Costa.
Rui Costa sai em defesa de Richard Ríos: "Não se pode esperar que drible 30 jogadores por jogo ou faça 40 golos por época"https://t.co/IMMS40MxfW
— Sportinforma (@Sportinforma_) October 15, 2025
Transfer Philosophy and Squad Management
Addressing transfer market speculation, Rui Costa explained that active squad discussions with Mourinho occur daily but played down any expectation of bold moves during the January window. He underlined that no players are being put up for sale and turned the spotlight on Richard Rios, a player brought in from South America for a fee of 27 million euros, who has faced scrutiny since arriving at the Estádio da Luz.
Costa offered his viewpoint: “Richard Rios just arrived from South America. We know that these players, when they come from abroad, need some time to adapt. Rios is playing according to the value he cost (27 million euros). This affects him,” said Rui Costa.
The president continued, “You cannot think that just because he cost so much, he should make 30 dribbles a match and score 40 goals a season—that’s not what’s expected of him. He is a defensive midfielder; he’s not a creative player. We know very well why we brought him in, all the more so since it was a surprise that we managed to acquire a player of such caliber,” added the president of the Portuguese giant.
Summary of Key Figures and Contract Details
| Person | Role | Contract Term | Special Clauses |
|---|---|---|---|
| José Mourinho | Head Coach | 2 years | Mutual termination option at season’s end (election-related); compensation if coach departs by own decision |
| Richard Rios | Defensive Midfielder | 5 years | Transfer fee: 27 million euros |
