Portuguese football giants Benfica have officially announced that they have reached a settlement with their former coach, Jorge Jesus. This agreement specifically addresses a tax adjustment related to IRS (Income Tax) that was contractually due to the manager, bringing an end to a legal challenge he had initiated against the club.
The core of the dispute stemmed from Jorge Jesus`s departure from the Lisbon-based club in 2022. Following his exit, Benfica had publicly committed to honouring his contractual obligations until the conclusion of his existing employment link or until he and his coaching staff secured new professional positions elsewhere. However, according to filings made by Jesus, this commitment was not fully met by the club, leading him to pursue legal recourse.
The veteran Portuguese coach had consequently filed a lawsuit against Benfica at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAD), citing alleged contractual non-compliance. Legal disputes between clubs and former personnel, especially regarding financial matters, are not uncommon in the football world, but they often involve complex negotiations and, at times, formal arbitration.
Benfica`s recent communication confirms that these complexities have now been navigated. The statement from the club explicitly mentions “an understanding with its former coach, Jorge Jesus, regarding an IRS tax settlement that was contractually due to him.” This phrasing underscores that the matter pertained to specific financial obligations tied to his tenure.
In a rather polite corporate gesture, especially considering the legal friction that preceded it, Benfica made a point of thanking “the collaboration of Jorge Jesus and his representatives in resolving this entire process.” They also explicitly stated that the matter is now “definitively closed,” signaling that the legal action is withdrawn and the financial issue settled. While the specific figures or exact terms of the settlement remain confidential, as is typical in such agreements, the announcement indicates that both parties have found common ground to conclude the affair.
The resolution means that a chapter of financial disagreement between Benfica and a coach who delivered significant success during his previous stints at the club is now formally closed. It serves as a technical conclusion to a post-employment financial obligation, ensuring that the focus, for both parties, can now firmly remain elsewhere – for Benfica, on future sporting endeavours, and for Jesus, wherever his managerial path takes him next.
