Results are already starting to show, with some tactical changes in place, but more steps are being carefully planned for the future.
Bruno Lage, who signed a two-year contract, is already working on solutions. He’s keeping a close eye on Benfica’s youth academy at Seixal, the League, and the international market.
Lage returned to Benfica in urgent circumstances to fix both the team’s performance and disappointing results. So far, he’s hit the ground running with five wins in five games, helping Benfica stay at the top of the league, just behind FC Porto and Sporting. While the gap to the leader remains at five points, Lage has made an impressive start in the Champions League, securing two wins that put Benfica in a strong position to advance in the competition.
Lage has settled in quickly, bringing in his technical team and getting his ideas across to the players, which has stabilized the club in the short term. However, with a two-year contract in hand, he’s already looking ahead and planning the next steps for the future.
After nearly three seasons under Roger Schmidt, the internal and external scouting information regarding players, as well as potential youth promotions, naturally had Schmidt’s input. While potential signings and youth promotions aren’t solely the responsibility of the head coach, Schmidt definitely had his stamp on those decisions.
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Now, Bruno Lage is carefully reviewing and analyzing all the available information, both what’s already on hand and what he’s brought with him, to make sure he’s ready to shape the future of the team. As a coach with a deep connection to Benfica’s academy, Lage is well-suited for this role. Having come up through Seixal himself, he’s launched the careers of stars like Florentino, Ferro, and João Félix.
His task will be to assess the talent within the academy, identifying players who could make the step up in the short or medium term. These young players will form a pool of alternatives for all positions, ready to be considered as part of his vision for the next phase of Benfica’s journey.
On a national level, Lage will also be keeping a close eye on standout players in the Portuguese league. If needed, he’ll have options for signings that can strengthen the squad, targeting players in various positions who fit Benfica’s needs.
Finally, the international market will be key. Since leaving Benfica in 2020, Lage has gained valuable experience coaching in England and Brazil, which means he comes back with a richer knowledge base and a broader network of potential signings. Of course, aligning the coach’s preferences with Benfica’s resources will be important, but building a strong list of options for each position will ensure the club is well-prepared. After all, as history shows, each transfer window tends to bring the departure of a key player, which makes it crucial to have a strong replacement ready to step in.