Bruno Lage will be back on the sidelines next season

Benfica President Rui Costa confirmed that Bruno Lage will continue as the team's coach for the 2025-26 season, despite the club’s failure to secure the 2024-25 Portuguese League title. With the club still in debt with former manager Roger Schmidt and his staff in the tune of just over €10M, it was a safe bet that Lage would not be leaving the club in the summer.

Speaking after a 1-1 draw against Braga on the final match day, which saw Sporting clinch the championship, Costa expressed unwavering support for Lage. He highlighted Lage’s achievements since taking over mid-season, including winning the Taca da Liga, reaching the Taca de Portugal final, and keeping Benfica in the title race until the end. “Bruno Lage will definitely start the next season at Benfica.”  

Costa stated, emphasizing that Lage was “the least responsible” for the season’s outcome. This decision comes amid fan frustration and looming presidential elections in October 2025, with Costa focusing on upcoming challenges like the Taca de Portugal final against Sporting on May 25, 2025 and this summers Club World Cup tournament.

With Lage at the helm, Benfica did out point Sporting from the time of his arrival and Benfica made it to the round of 16 of the new formatted Champions League bowing out to eventual La Liga champions Barcelona. The club will undoubtedly sell a few key pieces from the squad but hope to replace those pieces with equal or better parts this summer.

Benfica lose title on last day of the season

Benfica did not get the help the needed on the final day of the season to capture the league title and finish runner up again to back to back champions and cross town rivals Sporting.

The stage was set for a dramatic final day of the season as both clubs headed into the final weekend of games level at 79 points a piece with Sporting holding the tiebreaker from their head to head encounters with Benfica.

Benfica traveled to Braga, while Sporting was at home to take on Guimaraes. Sporting just needed to match Benfica's result to capture the title and they did just more then that. Sporting won 2-0 while Benfica came from behind to draw Braga 1-1.

The season ends with questions and missed opportunities with the club's biggest mistake being that they started the season with Roger Schmidt on the sidelines even though his poor club performances had reached a plateau. 

Benfica then missed out on the opportunity last weekend at the Luz to pull out in front where today's results would have given them the crown but faltered and drew 1-1. The result means that Benfica will have to go through qualifying if they are to make it into the main stage of the Champions League next season.

 

Lenore Sports buys stake in Benfica

American investor group Lenore Sports Partners has purchased a 5.24% stake in Portuguese giants Benfica according to a statement released by the club's SAD. 

The deal marks the first time that an investor group from America has purchased such a big stake in a top tier Portuguese club with Benfica said to be valued in the €598M to €659M according to data firm Benchmark, which would place Lenore Sports stake to be worth €31.3M to €34.5M.

Sport Lisboa e Benfica, a fan group own the majority of the club through the SAD with a 64% stake. Lenore Sports will work with the club in exploring opportunities where the club has the potential for more growth as they will use their decades of experience to add another aspect to the business side of the club.