“Not in a hundred years from now will Benfica ever win a European Cup” - this is believed to be the words of Bella Guttman some 52 years ago
Bela Guttman was the coach of Benfica football club during 1961 and 1962. Born in 1900, Guttman was a legendary Hungarian coach who led Portuguese power Benfica to two European Cup titles in the early 1960s.
After winning the old European Cup consecutively in 1961 and 1962, Guttmann approached the Benfica board of directors and asked for a pay rise, but, despite the success he had brought the club, he was turned down. On leaving Benfica he allegedly cursed the club, declaring “Not in a hundred years from now will Benfica ever win an European Cup”.
Despite being finalists on eight occasions - 1963, 1965, 1968, 1983, 1988, 1990, 2013 and 2014 - Benfica have never since won any European Championship. During Champions league final in 1990, before the match started in Viena, Portuguese legend Eusebio went to his grave and prayed asking him to forgive the officials of Benfica who treated him bad, and sacked him. However, after the prayer, Benfica played against PSV and lost.
Last Wednesday was the second successive year that Benfica players have had to console themselves with runner-up medals, after losing to Chelsea in the final of the same competition last season.
Hence, the club captain Luisao lamented: "The players fought but they lacked a bit of luck again, once again, in a final, the ball just didn't go in."
The Curse also affected Benfica Managers
Benfica now have their very own Jorge Jesus. His attacking philosophy matches that of Guttmann, but he is, of course, not the most successful Portuguese coach.
Jose Mourinho, who was born in Setubal just eight months after Guttmann left Benfica, is currently the best manager from Portugal. There is no doubt that the Chelsea manager heard many stories about Guttman while growing up - as his influence on the self acclaimed 'Special One' has been immense.
Guttman's curse doesn't seem likely to be broken anytime soon. His legacy lives on and so does his curse.