Mourinho: I'd Earn More Staying at Home for a Year Than Coaching; I'm Not Here for the Money

José Mourinho got off to a winning start in his Benfica debut, leading the team to a 3-0 victory over Avai Town in the Primeira Liga. At the pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday's game against Rio Ave, he specifically praised 37-year-old Argentine center-back Nicolás Otamendi, calling him “a true captain.”

On Otamendi

“This is a young team, but there's a world champion in the ranks—he's the captain.”

“In some clubs, the captain's armband isn't on the right person. I've encountered that before. But here, the armband is on a true captain, who takes on the responsibilities he should.”

On Integrating with the Team

“We're not best friends yet—after all, we've only been together for four or five days. But I believe we're building something important on a human level.”

Emphasizing Attitude on the Pitch

“Tactically, we need to take it step by step, but my demand is clear: Benfica either wins, or if not, they must fight until they're exhausted.”

On Salary and Challenges

“If I stayed at home until next June, I'd earn more than I do at Benfica... Let's just say I'm not here for the money—if anything, I'm taking a loss.”

"I love working and miss the feeling of fighting for titles. At Roma and Fenerbahçe, those opportunities were few and far between. Benfica has given me a fantastic opportunity. Staying at home isn't in my nature—I need to take risks, to be tested by victory and defeat. That's what motivates me."