Former Spain national team midfielder and youth coach Julen Guerrero found himself at the center of Portuguese football in 2025. He joined the team of Joao Diogo Manteigas, a candidate for president of Lisbon’s Benfica. Guerrero’s main goal is to modernize youth development and strengthen the club’s presence both domestically and in Europe.
Guerrero explained that he was invited because of longstanding professional connections and shared views on nurturing young players. He said he had long been interested in bringing his experience to Benfica, a club renowned for its commitment to developing homegrown talent. The Spaniard noted that he has always followed the club’s success and was impressed by how many academy players make it to the first team.
During the campaign, Guerrero emphasizes that he doesn’t see himself as a competitor to the club’s current leaders, but rather as someone focused on building a unified training system that ensures a steady stream of talent to the first team. He believes his experience with Spain’s youth squads and Athletic Club will help introduce modern methods and improve the effectiveness of Benfica’s youth development.
Gerreo places particular emphasis on working closely with head coach Jose Mourinho, who recently took charge of Benfica. The Spanish specialist is confident he can become a vital link between the academy and the first team, ensuring young players are as prepared as possible for the step up. He stresses the importance of unity within the club and the willingness to work toward a common goal.
Gerreo notes that in recent years, Benfica has achieved significant success in youth tournaments; however, academy graduates are not promoted to the senior squad as often as desired. In his view, the issue lies in insufficient integration between various developmental levels and the lack of a unified methodology. The new project aims to create a clear vertical structure—from the youngest age groups up to the first team—so that every player understands their prospects and objectives.
Gerreo’s plans include implementing a unified approach to training, recruitment, and player development. He believes that only full coordination between coaches and management will ensure that young talents do not get lost on their way to professional football. Particular emphasis is placed on individual work with players and their psychological preparation.
Guerrero also shares his experience gained in Spanish clubs and national teams, where he progressed from player to coach. He believes that his understanding of the needs of young athletes will help him build an effective system at Benfica. He considers it essential not only to prepare players for the first team, but also to instill in them a winning mentality.
Ahead of the elections, Guerrero emphasizes that Manteigas’s team is offering a thoughtful, long-term project based on professionalism and modern approaches. He hopes that fans will appreciate the seriousness of their intentions and support the renewal of the club’s development system. In his view, only this way can Benfica maintain a leading position and continue its tradition of nurturing homegrown stars.
