Lagers: Benfica s change of coach is based on results. Mourinho is the best Portuguese coach

September 29, former Benfica coach Bruno Lager accepted an exclusive interview with Portugal's "Ballad", during which he talked about the club's dismissal and Mourinho. In the first round of the Champions League, Benfica was reversed by Azerbaijani team Karabakh at home, and Raje was dismissed immediately.

Have you ever thought of ending the second coaching of Benfica this way?

"It was two completely different moments. The first time I felt that something was not done, mainly my own responsibility. But now it's different. I left very calm, and there are several reasons, one of which is that I realized my growth as a coach."

Relationship with Rui Costa

"My relationship with the chairman has always been very clear. We have been friends for many years, and our first professional relationship was in the youth training camp. He was the youth training director at the time, and I was the coach, and he gave me my first professional contract. I didn't want to hurt anyone, so in the post-match press conference against Karabach, I said that when the chairman felt that he had lost the support of the fans and the problem was that the coach, I would leave without any problem."

Talking about that Champions League match, he was reversed by 3 goals in a row after 2 goals, what happened?

"I have to go back to explaining this situation earlier. We know that playing in the Club World Cup will bring us some downsides, especially for our direct competitors. We are the only team in Portugal that played in the Club World Cup and played 8 games in August, and we only have 16 days to prepare for the Super Cup."

"We started a great game against Karabach and led 2-0 in 15 minutes. I still don't understand why the team gets such a strong boo after the ball is above the bar when the opponent's first attack (about 20 to 25 minutes). We are a very young team, and in this case we are starting to see some players make mistakes that they don't usually make. The match ended 3-2, the booing on the court, and the subsequent press conference…"

At that moment, did you feel that you are about to leave Benfica?

"I don't have much time to think, my focus is to walk to the center of the court as usual and gather the team again. I walk in front of the team and hope that all the dissatisfaction will be focused on me so that the fans can applaud the team so that they can cheer up in the next game. I hope Benfica is good and hope that these players will become champions at the end of the season because personal abilities are there. At that moment, I have to make suggestions to the chairman because I want Benfica to get the best results. Now with Mu Riniho's experience and strength, he will understand the players and work with them, and the collective energy will naturally appear. "

Talk with Rui Costa about leaving Benfica

" About 15 minutes after the press conference, I went to the locker room. After 10 to 15 minutes, the chairman called me over and we had a very candid and peaceful conversation, very quickly. I only put forward three conditions: first, about my contract; second, I only hope to receive the salary until the day, and respect the cooperation of my assistants . Finally, I hope to say goodbye to the players the next day. "

Does I feel that the change of coaches are because of the election period and Mourinho? "It has nothing to do with whether Mourinho is in the market, because I believe that the change of coaches is based on results, and I have to prove myself with results. As long as I win and achieve my goals, there will be no change of coaches. Rui Costa knows that leaving Benfica is an excellent coach and his team, and now he has brought in one of the best coaches in history, Jose Mourinho."

Mourinho

"We talked a lot during the three games. It was a wonderful experience to play against him because he is a role model for all Portuguese coaches, and he knows Benfica and Portuguese football very well. What I hope most is that he has the time to grow this team, and we are talking about the best Portuguese coach. He will definitely get this time, and he has the ability to transform all these personal abilities into a team."

If Benfica finally wins the championship, will you receive the medal?

"No, it's impossible. From now on, all efforts and honors will belong to this group of players and coach Mourinho. This is my wish."