Jorge Jesus: “I haven’t brought myself to watch a Sporting game live since the attack; Benfica fans never forgave me” | OneFootball

In June 2015 Jorge Jesus made one of the most sensational switches of allegiance in Portuguese football history when he left Benfica for fierce cross-town rivals Sporting.

One decade on from the astonishing move – comparable to a successful Manchester United manager defecting to Liverpool or vice-versa in England, or “doing a Figo” in Spain – the charismatic coach admitted he is now somewhat alienated from both Lisbon giants.

After a hugely successful six-year spell as Benfica manager, Jesus walked out on the Eagles for neighbours Sporting, but was unable to replicate his trophy-laden spell in the red half of Lisbon.

Despite a promising start at Alvalade, Jesus could not end the long wait for a league title for the Lions, which during JJ’s three-year tenure extended to over a decade and a half.

Nightmare week

A sequence of disastrous events in quick succession saw Jesus’s time at Sporting come to an ugly end.

Defeat in the last game of the season in Madeira against Marítimo costing the club Champions League qualification, the infamous attack by Sporting’s own fans at the club’s Alcochete training facility, a shock loss against Desportivo das Aves in the Portuguese Cup final and the breakdown of the coach’s relationship with firebrand president Bruno de Carvalho made it surely the most difficult week in the Jesus’s long career.

In an interview on RTP television programme “Primeira pessoa” Jesus addressed the Alcochete attack.

“At the time, when it was all happening, it wasn’t difficult because I faced up to the situation. I wasn’t scared. I was there and I went in. I was attacked, I tried to defend my players, obviously. I felt danger, but emotionally I didn’t feel what I feel today.”

“It left such a deep impression on me that I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch Sporting play live ever since. Never again. The players didn’t want to train anymore. I told them: ‘we have to train’ but they said ‘but we can’t go back into Alcochete, mister. Don’t ask us to.’ At the time I didn’t really understand them, but today I do.

“I’ve lost several finals. I lost two Europa League finals with Benfica, which is a more important competition than the Portuguese Cup, but nothing left such a strong mark sentimentally as that final we lost.”

Advice for ultras

Notwithstanding, Jesus does not hold a grudge and has forgiven the ultras involved in the violent episode. “They aren’t true Sporting fans. A true sportinguista or benfiquista would never do something like that.

“I take the opportunity to say to all the ultras of the clubs “forget it”. It’s not this kind of pressure that will make the players run more, or jump higher. It’s only positive pressure that does that. In the stadium they can show their discontent, but outside the stadium, forget it. Get this out of your heads.”

Unforgiving Benfica fans

With Benfica’s presidential elections on the horizon and former president Luís Filipe Vieira reported to be considering a candidacy, some have suggested Jesus could yet return to Benfica for a third spell. But the man himself summarily dismissed the idea.

“No! No, because my second spell at Benfica was during Covid, it was a tough time all around the world. And it was also tough for the coach and the players. Things didn’t go well on the pitch for Benfica.

“Moreover, I thought the Benfica fans would understand my position, but they never forgave me for having left Benfica for Sporting. And this always created a tense climate in my second spell at Benfica.”

Ronaldo “undervalued” in Portugal

Today, Jorge Jesus has a new challenge on his hands having been appointed the manager of Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he will coach Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time.

“It’s a challenge for me. Ronaldo is different, even in terms of biology – that’s why he’s still playing at 40 years old. We both think in the same way outside of football. I’m 70 years old but I don’t feel anything like that age mentally or physically.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is a reference point in the world. In Portugal we don’t give enough value to what he signifies. He’s the most well-known person in the world. You cannot compare him to anybody; he’s be biggest celebrity in the world. His reach goes way beyond the world of football.”

Jesus will attempt to win his second Saudi Pro League title and the 25th club trophy of his managerial career in the coming season. Al Nasr begin their 2025/26 campaign at the end of August as one of four teams involved in the Saudi Super Cup mini tournament.