Mourinho at risk of being fired by Benfica due to European crisis

Benfica fell 0-1 to Bayer Leverkusen at Da Luz Stadium, ending their four-game UEFA Champions League campaign with zero points and a three-game goalless streak. In that context, Jose Mourinho's position was shaken: pressure from the pitch combined with political turmoil at the top could push him to the risk of being fired in November.

Benfica's decline in the Champions League: 0 points after 4 rounds

The 1-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen was typical of Benfica’s poor form in Europe. After four matches, the Portuguese side have no points and have failed to score in their last three games. It’s not just a matter of attacking efficiency, but also the result of a string of results that have put psychological pressure and tactical confidence on them.

A Champions League winless run is often a harsh test for any manager, and with Benfica having high expectations in the European arena, a long period without points and without goals makes Mourinho less patient with his decisions.

Pressure off the field: presidential election and consequences for the coaching bench

The turmoil at the top complicates matters further. The club's presidential election at the end of October has a direct impact on Mourinho's future. The current president, Rui Costa, appointed him. If Rui Costa loses, the new board could well choose a different direction for the coaching bench, especially given the poor run of results in Europe.

At big clubs, internal politics and on-field performance are often intertwined: senior personnel decisions often come with changes at the head coach, especially when results don’t meet expectations. Benfica are at the intersection of those two forces.

Clear precedent: warning from Benfica's own history

Benfica acted decisively with coach Bruno Lage after a shocking defeat in the group stage. This precedent created a standard of expectation for the speed of response when the team was in crisis in Europe. According to A Bola, with a series of three consecutive defeats in the Champions League, the risk of Mourinho being fired is present. When compared with the reality of 0 points after four matches, the pressure is multiplied.

That is not just a historical comparison. It reflects how Benfica define the standard of competition and the tolerance for bad results in Europe's most prestigious tournament.

Da Luz at the crossroads: risks in November

The combination of poor European form and political uncertainty has left Mourinho’s future at Da Luz more uncertain than ever. With a Champions League empty-handed streak and an election on the horizon, a change of manager is on the table, even in November.

From here, every game and every decision is vital: each result can be a vote of patience, or a signal to start a rebuild. For Mourinho, the challenge lies not just on the touchline, but also behind the scenes – where a decision at the highest level can determine the rest of the season.