Jorge Jesus steps up to Benfica challenge
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
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SL Benfica have appointed Jorge Jesus as their new head coach – with the 54-year-old abandoning the SC Braga helm to take over from Quique Sánchez Flores, who left the Lisbon club last week.
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SL Benfica have unveiled Jorge Jesus as their new coach, with the 54-year-old leaving the SC Braga helm to take over from Quique Sánchez Flores.
Winning vision
Jorge Jesus has signed a two-year contract containing an extension option with the Lisbon club, filling the gap created by Sánchez Flores's departure last week. The former CF Os Belenenses boss said: "I must thank Benfica for the faith they have put in me – I am confident I won't let them down. I haven't come here for the money but for the ambition, because at Benfica you can only think about winning."
Room for improvement
The new man, whose solitary season in the Braga dugout produced a fifth-placed finish, takes charge of a team that were only two positions better off in the 2008/09 Portuguese Liga. Benfica, now set for a UEFA Europa League play-off in August, were also eleven points worse off than champions FC Porto, yet Jorge Jesus remains optimistic about the challenge ahead. "I'm sure I'll be a winner here," he added.