Benfica considered hiring Bologna's maestro
Marco Silva took over as Benfica's head coach in June this year, succeeding José Mourinho on the Eagles' bench. However, the Portuguese coach was not the only alternative Rui Costa had in mind for the position, with Vincenzo Italiano emerging as the red-and-white board's Plan B.
According to journalist Nicolò Schira, Benfica's president made contact with the Italian coach during the month of May, at a time when José Mourinho remained in charge of the team. According to the same source, Rui Costa sought to determine Vincenzo Italiano's availability to take on the red-and-white project.
The coach, however, would end up taking a different path and signed for Besiktas. Currently, Italiano is reportedly quite satisfied with the project presented by the Turkish club, ruling out, for now, any scenario of a change.
The revelation gains particular interest given that, in May, José Mourinho was still Benfica's coach and was publicly dismissing rumors that pointed to a possible departure.
