Just like José Mourinho, Carlos Carvalhal has also attended the ANTF Forum this week, where managers discussed their experiences and their plans for the future.
One of the topics the former Sheffield Wednesday boss talked about was Bruno Lage, who used to be his assistant, and is now in charge of Portuguese giants Benfica.
When speaking of his pupil, Carvalhal had no problems saying the Eagles now play the same way as the Owls used to.
“We worked together for four years in the Emirates and in England,” said Carvalhal (via A Bola). “I remember saying in interviews in the days when Bruno was not even on Team B yet, I think, and I remember saying he had excellent conditions.”
“The ascension was faster than I would have expected, but in terms of preparation and acquired knowledge, also because of the much he learned in England, with games every three days and no time to cry, he is prepared.
“We shared everything intensely and that gave us all strong experience to be able to embrace challenges of this level. His success is not a surprise. And I identify very well the way of playing, which was ours, intense, attractive, balanced. Benfica plays like Sheffield Wednesday played, but evidently with other players and with the influence of Bruno Lage.”
The quotes were obviously taken with controversy by Portuguese football fans. Benfica supporters don’t really like being compared to a Championship side, while the opponents are having a laugh about it.
Lage worked as Carvalhal’s assistant at Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City, and then took charge of Benfica B. He was appointed as caretaker manager when Rui Vitória was sacked, and after showing good results for the first team, his job was made official with a new contract.
