Rui Costa checks in on Andre Pirlo

Benfica President Rui Costa has reached out to former Juventus manager Andre Pirlo who is currently without club, to check on his availability according to reports from Italian website Calciomercato. Costa did not make any formal offer to Pirlo but looks to be preparing for life after Jorge Jesus the clubs current manager who has been heavily linked with a move back to Brazilian club Flamengo.

The same site also has managers Paulo Fonseca and Nuno Espirito Santo linked with the Benfica job. Benfica face arch rivals FC Porto on Thursday in a league game and another loss would prove costly in their quest to regain the league title and it should also mark the end of Jorge Jesus' tenure with the club, which has to yield anything of significance to the club in the form of hardware.

Benfica's 12 days of Christmas

With the holiday season upon us, we spend plenty of time with loved ones, sharing food and drink while we are flooded with classic Christmas specials and Holiday songs, I take a crack at an old time classic with the 12 days of Christmas for Benfica fans this season. Don't forget to sing along as here we go....

On the first day of Christmas, Benfica gave to me...

A new manger on the sidelines

On the second day of Christmas, Benfica gave to me...

Two younger center backs
and a new manger on the sidelines

On the third day of Christmas, Benfica gave to me...

Three pairs of cleats
Two younger center backs
and a new manager on the sidelines

On the fourth day of Christmas, Benfica gave to me...

Four signed jerseys
Three pairs of cleats
Two younger center backs
and a new manager on the sidelines

On the fifth day of Christmas, Benfica gave to me...

FIVE goals against Sporting
Four signed jerseys
Three pairs of cleats
Two younger center backs
and a new manager on the sidelines

On the sixth day of Christmas, Benfica gave to me...

Six sliding tackles
FIVE goals against Sporting
Four signed jerseys
Three pairs of cleats
Two younger center backs
and a new manager on the sidelines

On the seventh day of Christmas, Benfica gave to me...

Seven fans a singing
Six sliding tackles
FIVE goals against Sporting
Four signed jerseys
Three pairs of cleats
Two younger center backs
and a new manager on the sidelines

On the eighth day of Christmas, Benfica gave to me...

Eight headed balls
Seven fans a singing
Six sliding tackles
FIVE goals against Sporting
Four signed jerseys
Three pairs of cleats
Two younger center backs
and a new manager on the sidelines

On the ninth day of Christmas, Benfica gave to me...

Nine quick passes
Eight headed balls
Seven fans a singing
Six sliding tackles
FIVE goals against Sporting
Four signed jerseys
Three pairs of cleats
Two younger center backs
and a new manager on the sidelines

On the tenth day of Christmas, Benfica gave to me...

Ten player nutmegs
Nine quick passes
Eight headed balls
Seven fans a singing
Six sliding tackles
FIVE goals against Sporting
Four signed jerseys
Three pairs of cleats
Two younger center backs
and a new manager on the sidelines

On the eleventh day of Christmas, Benfica gave to me...

Eleven straight wins
Ten player nutmegs
Nine quick passes
Eight headed balls
Seven fans a singing
Six sliding tackles
FIVE goals against Sporting
Four signed jerseys
Three pairs of cleats
Two younger center backs
and a new manager on the sidelines

On the twelfth day of Christmas, Benfica gave to me...

Twelve personalized photos
Eleven straight wins
Ten player nutmegs
Nine quick passes
Eight headed balls
Seven fans a singing
Six sliding tackles
FIVE goals against Sporting
Four signed jerseys
Three pairs of cleats
Two younger center backs
and a new manager on the sidelines,
and A NEW manager on the SIDELINES...

Benfica wont win anything with Jesus at the helm

Benfica's struggles against their Portuguese rivals does not seem to have an end in sight after suffering another humbling defeat at the hands of FC Porto that has sent them crashing out of the Taca de Portugal competition earlier today. Jorge Jesus' return to Benfica has been marred in embarrassment and disappointment when it comes to Benfica's rivals FC Porto and Sporting.

Jorge Jesus' has recorded one lone victory since making his Benfica return in the summer of 2020 against the two clubs that all fans would like to see the Lisbon side defeat over and over. That lone victory was a meaningless win in the second last week of the season over Sporting after their cross town rivals had already clinched the league title for the first time in almost twenty years.

Benfica's record since Jesus' return against FC Porto and Sporting is a disappointing 1-2-4 across all competitions and if this type of form continues, it all but assures that the club will more then likely not capture anything of substance with Jesus at the helm. Brazilian side Flamengo have been in Lisbon the past week, with the hopes of bringing their former manager back to Brazil. I say to the Benfica board that the opportunity to leave the gate open and let the old dinosaur escape is finally at hand but will they listen.... only time will tell.