Toni steps down at Benfica

António 'Toni' Oliveira stepped down as coach of SL Benfica on Thursday following a run of poor results.

Lacklustre performances
"During my (2000) election campaign I said Toni was my trainer and it is only due to footballing circumstances, in which things change abruptly, that he has decided to put the institution above personal interests," club chairman Manuel Vilarinho told a news conference on Thursday.

Drawn derby
Some recent lacklustre performances, such as defeats against FC Paços de Ferreira and Boavista FC and a draw in the Lisbon derby versus Sporting Clube de Portugal, contributed to Toni's departure, as did last season's disappointing campaign in which the side finished only sixth, the worst position in their 96-year history.

Visibly upset

Third spell
Toni, a former Benfica player, assistant coach and executive manager, was in his third spell as Benfica coach, having succeeded Dane Ebbe Skovdahl in 1987/88, Croatian Tomislav Ivic in 1992/93 and Mourinho last season. Mourinho, who is now with UD Leiria, is a strong candidate to return to Benfica.

Two league titles
Toni won two Portuguese league titles at the Da Luz stadium, the most recent in 1993/94 (the last time Benfica lifted the league crown). He also won the Portuguese Cup and was the club's coach in 1988, when they lost the European Champion Clubs' Cup final against PSV Eindhoven on penalties.

Sacked after win
Toni was sacked after the 1993/94 season, despite winning the title, and was replaced by Artur Jorge. He then joined FC Girondins de Bordeaux where he helped nurture the talents of Zinedine Zidane and Bixente Lizarazu. Sevilla FC was Toni's next stop, but his spell in Spain was very brief.

Queiroz a candidate
Toni spent the last two years of the 1990s as Carlos Queiroz's deputy coach with the national team of the United Arab Emirates. Queiroz, who is now in charge of South Africa's national team, is reportedly the other main candidate to fill the post vacated by his former deputy.