Jose Mourinho takes just one match with Benfica to spark new controversy

A spiky Jose Mourinho accused referee Sergio Guelho of having "no personality" in a box-office post-match press conference after his Benfica side had a goal chalked off in their underwhelming 1-1 draw with Rio Ave.

Mourinho, 62, agreed to make a swift return to management with Benfica earlier this month just weeks after being sacked by Fenerbahce. The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid chief marked his first game back at the helm of the Portuguese club he started his managerial career at with a convincing 3-0 over AVS at the weekend. But Benfica were held by winless Rio Ave in Mourinho's second game on Tuesday night.

The match's big talking point revolved around a disallowed goal for Benfica, who were denied victory in the 91st minute. And the charismatic Portuguese coach, who never pulled any punches during some iconic press conferences down the years, didn't hold back with his latest post-match comments, where he took aim at the officials and claimed Guelho had "no personality".

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“We didn’t do enough in the first half,” Mourinho said. “The second half was good, within our limitations. We were dominant, aggressive and created chances, always playing in their half of the pitch. The two players who came on shook up the game.

“We scored a goal. If this is the new football, when goals are ruled out because a small toe steps on another small toe, I don’t like this new football. But that’s the way it is so we have to accept it. We kept trying and finally got the goal, but we conceded when we can’t concede a goal. It’s tremendously unfair and an awful result for us. It was the game that Rio Ave wanted and which the referee allowed.

“We are not an overly physical team or strong in the air. We have to penetrate using other routes. With Aursnes and Ivanovic there’s little width, because of the type of players they are. We tried with Dedic and Dahl, and also with Lukebakio, who is not yet fully fit, and with Andreas [Schjelderup].

“We were hit on the break and a team that is winning cannot concede a goal like that. We lost two points because of it.”

Mourinho and Benfica are back in action against Gil Vicente this weekend before he returns to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League next week.

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