“About 200 ultras broke into the training ground, forcing Special to hold a blow for poor results.”, — write: football.ua
About 200 ultras broke into the training ground, forcing Special to hold a blow for poor results.
Jose Mourinho, Getty Images January 25, 2026, 11:28 am
Tensions have been rising in recent weeks. Benfica are already 10 points behind arch-rivals Porto in the league, and their recent 0-1 exit from the Portuguese Cup at the hands of the Dragons only added fuel to the fire.
Earlier this month, following a 3-1 League Cup semi-final loss to Braga, Mourinho resorted to drastic measures, forcing the players to spend the night at the base to reflect on their behaviour. However, this did not calm down the fans. At first, only four representatives of the ultras were admitted to the base, but the crowd insisted on full access. The police, in order to avoid an escalation of violence, allowed the fans to pass.
The meeting took place right on one of the training fields. The conversation lasted about an hour and, according to eyewitnesses, was extremely tense. The Ultras expressed their displeasure with the club’s trajectory and issued an ultimatum: results must improve immediately.
Despite the pressure from the street, club president Rui Costa publicly supported Mourinho: “Firing the coach? That is out of the question. He is a great specialist and has already proven it. The season is not easy, but we will fight for our goals until the last second,” Costa stressed.
Mourinho, who took charge of his boyhood club last September after signing a contract until 2027, finds himself in a difficult position. Ahead of the Eagles are not only matches of the domestic championship, but also a fundamental confrontation with his former team – Real Madrid. The pressure on the Special One reached a maximum.