In a dramatic and fiery reaction to a disappointing cup exit, legendary manager José Mourinho has taken drastic measures with his Benfica squad. The Portuguese giants suffered a 3-1 defeat to Braga in the semi-finals of the Portuguese League Cup, prompting an extraordinary response from their high-profile coach.
Mourinho's Post-Match Ultimatum
Speaking at a tense press conference after the match, Mourinho did not hold back his frustration. He announced an immediate and unusual punishment for the playing staff. The entire team will be staying at Benfica's Seixal training base indefinitely, with the manager confirming they would sleep there.
"The players will sleep in Seixal, and on Thursday there is training, and the day after there will be training," Mourinho stated bluntly. "When we arrive in Seixal, everyone will go to their rooms."
A Sleepless Night of Reflection
The former Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham boss went further, expressing a pointed wish for his players' night ahead. He made it clear he expected them to be as troubled by the performance as he was.
"I hope the players sleep as well as I do, which is to say that they don't sleep at all," Mourinho said. "That's what I wish for them. That they don't sleep and instead think a lot, like I'm going to."
Consequences and Pressure Mounts
This public rebuke and the unprecedented step of confining the squad to their training ground underscores the immense pressure at the Lisbon club. Mourinho's return to Benfica, where he began his coaching career, was heralded as a major coup, but results like this semi-final loss to Braga are not part of the script.
The manager's actions signal a demand for immediate accountability and a stark reminder of the standards required. All eyes will now be on how the players respond to this very public challenge from one of football's most iconic figures.
