
Bruno Lage (foto: Getty Images)
Benfica coach Bruno Lage criticizes the lack of patience in Portuguese football, sharing how even his 9-year-old son’s coach was dismissed due to poor results.
Benfica manager Bruno Lage has spoken out about the growing lack of patience in football, emphasizing how the relentless pressure for results is affecting coaches at all levels, even in youth leagues.
Lage’s Benfica is enjoying a strong run of form in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, boosted by a dramatic collapse from league leaders Sporting. Yet, while Lage’s job is secure for now, he expressed solidarity with colleagues across Portugal who aren’t so fortunate.
Speaking ahead of Benfica’s clash with Vitoria, Lage shared a striking example of how ruthless football has become in Portugal:
"It’s not just the Primeira Liga. This is a problem throughout Portuguese football. My son is nine years old. His team has won only once in their last five matches, and the coach was sacked—this is an Under-10 team we’re talking about!"
Lage criticized the growing impatience and obsession with results, even at developmental levels, where youth players and coaches should be focused on learning and growth rather than immediate success.
The Benfica boss highlighted the difficulties of being a football coach in the modern game, where results trump long-term vision. While Lage’s team is thriving at the moment, he knows how quickly things can change in football:
"In this job, you’re only as good as your last result. It’s a harsh reality, and it’s seeping into all levels of the sport. Coaches in youth football are no longer given the time they need to develop players properly."