Good afternoon. If you were given a piece of paper to sign off on a 0-0 draw—considering your team’s schedule, your opponent, and the upcoming away game against Porto—would you sign it? Or would you choose to compete in the match?
It depends on how the game goes. I’ve always said: if the opponent is much stronger than you, a draw is an excellent result. If Chelsea dominates the game and pins us back in our own half, then I will certainly accept a draw. But the match hasn’t started yet; right now, what we need is to pick up points in this competition. In a schedule like the one you mentioned, every point matters. At this moment, we’re focused on going out there and playing.
When you left Portuguese football, you were a European champion. Analyzing both domestic and international football, do you think it has become harder today for Portuguese clubs like Benfica to win the European Cup (Champions League) or go further in the tournament compared to 20 years ago? Another question: is Luuk Baggio fit enough to play more minutes? Will he feature in the game?
He will play—he will start tomorrow. I don’t know how long he can last; he played about 60 minutes in the last game, so we’ll see tomorrow. We’ll assess the intensity of the match and the demands it places on him, and he’ll adapt to the rhythm. I’d rather have him start than come on as a substitute for 30 minutes. He’ll be in the starting lineup, and then we’ll see how long he can hold on.
The Champions League format has changed. When I first took part in the Champions League, I was Bobby Robson’s assistant coach—that was the old format. When I won this trophy, we used the longest-running format: a group of four teams, followed by the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals. Now we have the current format, and I’m still learning; it’s a learning process. But I understand your question—there are too many European giants now, and it’s indeed getting harder for Portuguese teams.
I’d say Benfica is a giant, a true giant. In terms of history and social significance, it stands on par with the best clubs in Europe—even better than some clubs that now have stronger financial power than mine. Benfica’s influence, history, social dimension, and culture are distinct from its financial status. In today’s world, the economic landscape of European football has changed; some clubs have far more money than we do. So going back to your question about whether I’d be satisfied with a draw—I don’t know. We’ll go into the game, enjoy it, and fight for a win.
You will play away against Porto next. If Porto wins today, you will be 4 points behind them. Additionally, you lost your first Champions League match. So this is a decisive week for Benfica, and the game against Porto is also approaching. Will you rest some players for Sunday’s match? Also, what happened in the Benfica meetings, and how will you manage the dressing room?
Let’s save this question for tomorrow, okay?
José, welcome back to London. If you look to your right, there’s that famous photo of you holding up three fingers; to your left, there’s the photo of you with the second Premier League trophy you won. There’s another photo here, too—out of the five photos in this big room, three are of you… I know you’ve said you’re no longer a “Blue,” but will there always be a little bit of “blue” in your heart? Does this feel like coming home?
Of course, of course there will. I will always be a “Blue.” I am part of their history, and they are part of mine. I helped them become a stronger Chelsea, and they helped me become a stronger José. When I say I’m not a “Blue,” I want everyone to understand that I’m referring to the job I have to do tomorrow.
As for these photos—very few clubs would do this. Because in many clubs, they seem afraid of their past; they keep changing photos, and sometimes it feels like they want to erase the people who made history for the club. I think this shows that Chelsea is truly a great club, because great clubs also care about principles.
Welcome back. You once said that you would be Chelsea’s greatest manager until another coach wins four Premier League titles. Do you still feel that way now? Secondly, given Chelsea’s recent poor results and the pressure on their head coach, do you think this is a good time to play against them? What do you think of Enzo Maresca’s work?
You know, Chelsea is a winning machine. They’ve had periods without trophies in the past two or three years, but Chelsea had already won things before I arrived. Then we started winning, my teams kept winning, and then there was a transition—new teams, new coaches, more trophies, European trophies, the biggest of which is the Champions League. So Chelsea is a winning machine. I am the greatest in their history, until someone wins four (Premier League titles)—though it’s not entirely that simple.
José, it’s great to see you again in London. When you first arrived here, you told everyone you were “the Special One.” You were then, and you still are…
I never said that.
Oh, then what did you say?
No, I didn’t say that.
You are special, aren’t you? Well, you were “the Special One.” This place is special to you, so from a romantic perspective, have you ever hoped to come back here one day and manage Chelsea again? Because we never know what the future holds. Will you see tomorrow’s game as extra special—just in case it’s the last time you coach from the dugout here…
We never know. Twenty-five years ago, I expected to return to Portugal by managing the national team, not Benfica—but now I’m back at Benfica. So I don’t have a career plan. I don’t think about what’s possible or impossible. What matters is that you give it your all wherever you are. Right now, I’m at Benfica, and I’m very, very happy. I have a huge responsibility—even for someone of my age and with so much football experience, managing Benfica is a great responsibility.
In the past few times I saw you come here with Manchester United and Tottenham, you were booed by the fans. But now, as Benfica’s head coach, things seem different…
No, no, no. What happened that time was a member of Chelsea’s coaching staff insulted me, and I reacted. People thought I was reacting to Chelsea’s goal—because the score was 1-1 and Chelsea scored a last-minute goal. They thought I was reacting badly to that goal, but that wasn’t the case at all.
That coach apologized, and he handled the situation with his assistant very well. Chelsea also handled the matter well, and I did too—because Chelsea wanted to sack that person, but I told them not to. So it was just something that happened in football. Let that person stay in the coaching staff; in the end, nothing came of it. I don’t think Chelsea fans would boo me. At the very least, on the streets, they’re the ones who always ask me for photos and autographs.
BlueBridgeGlory
