Former president Manuel Damásio demands trophies in 2024-25 or early elections at the Estádio da Luz
Manuel Damásio has delivered a stark message to Benfica president Rui Costa: deliver silverware next season or call early elections and step aside. The former Benfica president (1994-1997) made his position crystal clear in an exclusive interview with Record.
The ultimatum represents the most significant public challenge to Costa's leadership since he took over from Luís Filipe Vieira in 2021. With Benfica's trophy cabinet remaining empty while rivals Sporting CP dominate Portuguese football, pressure is mounting from all corners of the club's vast membership base.
Damásio's words leave no room for interpretation. Speaking to Record, he stated that if next season mirrors the current campaign's disappointments, Costa must take decisive action.
If next season is the same, Rui Costa should call elections and not stand
This represents more than just criticism from a former president. Damásio led Benfica during a successful period in the mid-1990s, giving his words considerable weight among the club's 250,000 members who elect the president.
Crucially, Damásio believes both Costa and manager José Mourinho should continue in their roles for now. This conditional support creates a clear timeline: the 2024-25 season becomes a defining moment for the current administration.
The democratic tradition at Benfica means presidential criticism carries real consequences. Unlike many European giants, Benfica's members directly elect their president, making public opinion from respected figures like Damásio particularly influential.
The Eagles' recent struggles provide context for Damásio's intervention. Benfica have watched as Sporting CP claimed the 2023-24 Primeira Liga title with games to spare, adding to their 2021 triumph under Rúben Amorim.
Under Rui Costa's presidency, Benfica's trophy haul has been alarmingly sparse:
This represents Benfica's worst run in the modern era, particularly painful given their status as Portugal's most successful club with 38 league titles. The contrast with Sporting's resurgence under Amorim has intensified scrutiny on Costa's leadership.
Damásio's public ultimatum reflects broader discontent among Benfica's massive membership base. The club's democratic structure means Costa cannot ignore such sentiments, particularly when voiced by a former president who understands the pressures of the role.
Recent home attendances at the Estádio da Luz have shown signs of supporter frustration, with notable gaps appearing in previously sold-out sections. The symbolic importance of filling their 65,000-seat stadium adds another layer of pressure on the current regime.
José Mourinho's position appears secure for now, with Damásio explicitly backing the manager to continue. However, this support comes with the same caveat applied to Costa: deliver trophies or face the consequences.
The Special One arrived at Benfica amid enormous fanfare, but his first months have yielded mixed results. The pressure to win immediately will shape every decision in the crucial summer transfer window.
Benfica's summer business now carries additional weight. The club must balance financial sustainability with the immediate need for quality reinforcements capable of challenging Sporting's dominance.
Key areas requiring investment include:
The ultimatum effectively removes any excuse for conservative spending. Costa and his board must back Mourinho with the resources needed to mount a serious title challenge.
For Mourinho, next season represents a defining moment in his managerial career. Having won titles everywhere he's managed, failure at Benfica would mark an unprecedented blemish on his record.
The Portuguese manager's ability to handle pressure is well-documented, but the unique dynamics at Benfica present new challenges. Managing under an ultimatum, with a president whose position depends on immediate success, creates a potentially volatile environment.
The clock is now ticking on Rui Costa's presidency. Damásio's public ultimatum transforms the 2024-25 season into a referendum on the current administration's competence. Every dropped point, every tactical decision, every transfer will be scrutinised through the lens of this make-or-break campaign.
For Benfica's members, Damásio has articulated what many have been thinking: patience has limits, even for club legends like Costa. The democratic traditions that make Benfica unique also demand accountability, and next season's trophy count will determine whether Costa remains at the helm or joins the list of presidents who couldn't deliver when it mattered most.
Former Benfica president Manuel Damásio demanded that current president Rui Costa resign and call early elections if Benfica fails to win trophies in the 2024-25 season. Damásio stated Costa should step aside if next season mirrors current disappointments.
Benfica has won zero league titles since Rui Costa became president in July 2021. The club has been eliminated from Champions League group stages in consecutive seasons while rivals Sporting CP have won two Primeira Liga titles.
Manuel Damásio was Benfica president from 1994-1997 during a successful period. His opinion carries significant weight among Benfica's 250,000 members who directly elect the president, making his public criticism particularly influential.
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Benfica's trophy cabinet has remained empty under Costa while Sporting CP have dominated Portuguese football, winning the 2023-24 Primeira Liga title and claiming two of the last four championships. This represents Benfica's worst run in the modern era.
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