Persistent clashes with players and general lack of cohesion have left a bitter taste in Jorge Jesus’ mouth and the experienced manager has decided to end his ill-fated second spell in charge of Benfica.The separation is being labelled as a mutual termination of the coach’s contract after a turbulent Portuguese Cup exit against rivals FC Porto. Benfica’s midfielder Pizzi was so angry after the game that he went into a heated exchange with assistant manager Thiago Oliveira. Jesus intervened but Pizzi wouldn’t back down and all hell broke loose. Former Benfica captain Luisao, who’s currently the team manager had to step in and prevent the coach to get into a fight with one of his best players. It was the final straw. Jesus banished Pizzi from the first-team training sessions but he never got to lead the side again.Huge. Jorge Jesus sacked by Benfica. It’s been a bumpy few days/weeks for the Benfica manager with fan discontent and, more recently, & publicly, player disagreements. His head may have been turned by interest from Brazil too. Benfica face Porto in the league in two days’ time. pic.twitter.com/rFhLB9eqAx— Alex Goncalves (@Aljeeves) December 28, 2021 On Tuesday morning, a short statement of Jorge Jesus filtered through the Portuguese media.”I made my position available. I’m leaving.”Last season’s lost title race and this campaign’s result cannot be considered too bad for the coach to leave – even if it’s such a big club. Benfica qualified for the knockout round of the UEFA Champions League by finishing above Barcelona in their group. But the tensions within the club proved irreversible. Not good enough to play for Benfica – way too good to work at KFC: This is BetoMany of the first team players showed solidarity with Pizzi, effectively abandoning the coach who’s overseen defeats against Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Porto, two biggest rivals, in the past month. When you add the persistent rumours of Jorge Jesus being wanted by a host of Brazilian top-flight clubs, it’s easy to see that Benfica director Rui Costa had no choice but to get rid of the 67-year-old tactician.Jorge Jesus has won three Portuguese titles with Benfica, all in his first spell on the red bench, between 2010 and 2015. He also reached to finals of the UEFA Europa League – only to lose them both. He’s won five trophies in his two seasons in charge of Brazilian club Flamengo before returning for a second spell with Benfica. Perhaps he shouldn’t have bothered.PRIMEIRA LIGA – Round 16Tuesday20.00: (3.35) Tondela (3.35) Gil Vicente (2.20)22.00: (3.10) Maritimo (3.10) Vizela (2.45)23.55: (2.90) Moreirense (3.05) Estoril (2.60)Wednesday20.00: (1.90) Famalicao (3.40) Belenenses (4.30)22.00: (1.68) Guimaraes (3.70) Boavista (5.30)23.55: (1.32) Sporting (5.10) Portimonense (10.0)Thursday20.00: (2.60) Ferreira (3.05) Santa Clara (2.90)22.00: (4.90) Arouca (3.60) Braga (1.75)23.55: (2.00) Porto (3.60) Benfica (4.00)***odds are subject to change
