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Benfica ultras have stormed the club’s training ground to get answers about the Portuguese giant’s poor form under Jose Mourinho. The former Manchester United and Chelsea boss was appointed in September following a spell with Fenerbahce.

But it has not been the homecoming that fans or the club were hoping for. Benfica are currently unbeaten in the Portuguese league, but are sitting third in the table and 10 points behind current leaders Porto.

They are also under real threat of missing out on a spot in the Champions League playoffs, while they were eliminated from the Portuguese Cup at the quarter final stage. Fans have since attempted to take matters into their own hands.

According to Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha, a group of 200 fans stormed the club’s training ground in Seixal demanding to speak with club officials including Mourinho, technical director Simao Sabrosa and captain Nicolas Otamendi.

Initially, four members of the group were allowed to enter before they demanded the rest join them. Police were called to maintain order but allowed the supporters in after they claimed they would protest peacefully.

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The fans eventually managed to speak with Mourinho, Simao and Otamendi on one of their training pitches and left after an hour. President Rui Costa has already given his take on the current situation.

Asked if the club could look to move Mourinho on, he replied: “No. He’s an excellent coach and has already proven that. It’s not an easy season. Changing the coach? That’s out of the question.”

Asked if the club could make any more signings, Costa added: “I can’t promise anything, but we’ll see until the end of the transfer window. As you know, we’ve already talked about the sporting side. It’s not a positive year.

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“We will fight until the last second for our objectives. There’s still the championship to fight for.”

Benfica are back in action on Sunday as they take on Estrela da Amadora in the league, while they will then resume their Champions League campaign against Mourinho’s former club Real Madrid. The Portuguese side must win and hope results go for them to stand any chance of sealing a spot in the playoffs.

Mourinho remains under contract with Benfica until 2027, albeit a break clause has been written into that deal that could see him part ways with his employers at the end of the current campaign.

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