Benfica job is a peach, perfect 'one last job' for Luis
Good achievement taking Poland to third, and a nicely-paced, well-written story. Hope you write more![]()
One last big move.
That'll be a good one to follow.
Benfica job is a peach, perfect 'one last job' for Luis
Good achievement taking Poland to third, and a nicely-paced, well-written story. Hope you write more![]()
Addendum
Olivera signed a three-year deal with Benfica and knew, in his heart, that it would be his final job before retirement. Benfica were reigning champions, but needed some reinforcing with a number of key players having moved on. The manager brought a few Poles over to Portugal with him – Gorski, Jezierski, Piatek and Pietrzkiewicz. But the key signing came a few months into his first season. For reasons best known to them, Real Madrid let Francisco Manuel Herrero’s contract expire and he left the club as a free agent. Olivera convinced the player that they could put their history aside and that, as they say, was that. They won the league and the Champions League that season. The next year they won the league (clawing back a big points deficit to overhaul Belenenses on the last weekend) and the Portuguese Cup.
Poland, now under the management of Spaniard Koldo Cabrera, qualified for the 2036 European Championships by overcoming Ukraine in a play-off. But they faltered at the group stage, edged by Germany and Italy. Spain won the competition for the third time in succession. There was no sign of an end to their dominance.
Despite the sale of Piatek, Benfica kept on winning. They re-signed Fabio Mota for the 2036/37 season and, having already wrapped up the league with a month to go, they faced Barcelona in the Champions League final. It would be Olivera’s final match as a manager. In a fitting tribute to the manager’s qualities, his team poached an early goal before being reduced to ten men by an overzealous referee. They defended brilliantly for the rest of the match and secured a 1-0 win – and Olivera’s third Champions League victory.
Retirement was a new adventure. He was often asked in those later years to reminisce about his days in the game. And despite all the silverware that came in Madrid and Lisbon, it was his time with Poland that had given him the best stories. And who doesn’t love a good story?
Luis Olivera’s management career
União da Madeira
• 2014/15 - Promotion to Primeira Liga
Vitória de Guimarães
• 2017/18 - Primeira Liga
• 2019/20 - Taça de Portugal
Real Sociedad
• 2022/23 - La Liga
Real Madrid
• 2024/25 - Intertoto Cup
• 2024/25 - UEFA Cup
• 2024/25 - La Liga
• 2024/25 - Copa del Rey
• 2025/26 - Spanish Super Cup
• 2025/26 - La Liga
• 2026/27 - Champions League
• 2026/27 - Spanish Super Cup
• 2026/27 - La Liga
• 2027/28 - Spanish Super Cup
• 2027/28 - European Super Cup
• 2027/28 - Intercontinental Cup
• 2027/28 - Fifa Club World Cup
• 2027/28 - La Liga
Poland
• 2034 - World Cup 3rd place
Benfica
• 2034/35 - Portuguese Super Cup
• 2034/35 - Primeira Liga
• 2034/35 - Champions League
• 2035/36 - Portuguese Super Cup
• 2035/36 - European Super Cup
• 2035/36 - Intercontinental Cup
• 2035/36 - Taça de Portugal
• 2035/36 - Primeira Liga
• 2036/37 - Portuguese Super Cup
• 2036/37 - Primeira Liga
• 2036/37 - Champions League
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Brilliant end to a brilliant career.
This is a HoF'er and can't wait to see any other stories that may come too.
Big expectations though![]()
A fitting end to a dazzelling career. I do hope that there will be a regen of Luis Olivera at some point.
The artist formally known as The Eejit
Great end.
Was half hoping Benfica would be a story of it's own.
Certain it will make it in to the Hall of Fame.
Well Done mate. Very very enjoyable!!
Thanks all - glad you've enjoyed it![]()