Benfica presents a familiar face as Schmidt's successor

Benfica made a decisive move at the end of last month by parting ways with Roger Schmidt, whose struggles at the start of the new season brought his position into question.

Despite having led the team to the league title in his first season, Schmidt’s difficulties in replicating that success in the following campaign saw pressure mounting on the German coach. Speculation about his successor quickly followed, and Benfica ultimately turned to a familiar face Bruno Lage.

Lage, who had a previous successful stint as Benfica’s head coach between 2019 and 2020, was seen as the ideal candidate to take charge once again. During his first tenure, Lage guided the team to the Primeira Liga title in his first six months, with rising star João Félix playing a pivotal role in the team’s success. Lage’s reputation as a capable and experienced coach, particularly at Benfica, was reinforced by his ability to navigate a challenging season while still securing silverware for the club.

After his time with Benfica, Lage moved on to manage Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League, where he gained further experience at the top level of European football. His most recent managerial role was with Botafogo in Brazil, where he spent a few months before becoming available for a return to Europe. Now, the 48-year-old Portuguese coach returns to the club where he spent several years working in the youth academy before taking charge of the first team.

Benfica president Rui Costa revealed that the decision to bring Lage back was made quickly once it was clear that he was available. "He has the right profile to lead the team at this moment," Costa said. "He has represented this club for many years, is a successful coach, and won trophies with Benfica during a more difficult season than this one." The confidence in Lage’s ability to turn things around at a crucial time reflects the club’s faith in his leadership and understanding of Benfica’s culture.

Lage’s mission now is clear: to restore Benfica’s winning mentality and bring joy back to the fans. The new season has already presented challenges, with the team dropping points in their first two away matches. Benfica’s rivals, Sporting Portugal, finished last season as champions with a commanding ten-point lead, raising the stakes for Lage to close that gap and contend for the title once again. Additionally, Benfica faces tough competition in the Champions League, with Feyenoord among their group stage opponents, further emphasizing the need for a strong and cohesive squad under Lage’s guidance.

For Benfica, bringing back a coach with a proven track record at the club provides hope that Lage can replicate his past successes. However, the pressure is on to deliver immediate results in both the domestic league and the Champions League. As Lage takes the helm, all eyes will be on how quickly he can get the team back on track and competing at the level expected of one of Portugal's top football institutions.