24 July 2008

Rui Costa as Benfica Sporting Director- "3 more signings"


Here's the latest on what former AC Milan player, Rui Costa, is doing as Benfica sporting director. He needs to make Benfica as competitve as possible. Their objective is to go as far as they can in the UEFA cup and the Portuguese league, Liga Sagres. Right now he's making sure players leave and new players come in.

Signed Carlos Martins on July 1, 2008:

Lisbon, Portugal, July 1, 2008- Rui Costa presenting Benfica new signing Carlos Martins with the jersey. No number yet. Photo: www.record.pt


--- - He was able to personally convince Pablo Aimar to come to Benfica this season. Aimar was very undecided. It took Rui Costa 3 trips to Spain to persuade him to join Benfica.

Portugal, July 2008- Rui Costa presenting Pablo Aimar with his Benfica jersey and number 10. It was Rui Costa's number in Benfica. Photo: www.record.pt

Portugal, July 2008- Pablo Aimar after his presentation wearing the new Benfica jersey and bouncing the official 2008-2009 Portuguese League, Liga Sagres, yellow ball. Photo: www.record.pt


--- - He already got rid of American Freddy Adu. Adu is on loan to AS Monaco. Many Benfica fans see this as the first mistake Rui COsta committed as Sports director. Adu is a talented forward. The few times he played he scored. There was strong competition by Nuno Gomes and Oscar Cardozo. Current Benfica manager Quique Sanchez Flores also wants another experienced forward instead, like Luis Garcia from Espanyol.

Too bad for Freddy Adu. He was not able to gain the confident of any of the last 3 Benfica managers: Fernando Santos, Jose Camacho, Chalana, and now the new manager for this season, Spanish Quique Sanchez Flores. Not to mention, former teammate, onw sports director, Rui Costa.

--- - 3 signings, July 24 - This afternoon, in the press conference he presented 3 new signings Sidnei, Urreta and Jorge Ribeiro.

July 24, 2008- Sidnei, Jorge Ribeiro, and Urreta presented as the 3 new Benfica signings. Photo: www.record.pt



--- - "3 more signings" Rui Costa said he still has "3 more signings" to go in today's press conference. He said that some players will leave, others would be on loan.

Some names the Portuguese media says Rui Costa wants are: Luis Garcia and Miccoli, currently at Palermo in the Serie A. Source: www.record.pt

Let's see how far Benfica goes in the Portuguese League, Liga Sagres this season.


- Your thoughts on Rui Costa as Sporting director?




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