Ricardo Rocha comes in, Javi García says "see you soon"

Sport Lisboa e Benfica's professional football coaching staff begins the 2024/25 pre-season with a new member in its structure. Ricardo Rocha, 45 years old, a former center-back who was a champion with an eagle on his chest in 2004/05, will take over as assistant to coach Roger Schmidt, filling the vacancy left by the departure of Javi García, who, at this stage of his career, has decided to dedicate himself in depth to his professional training.

"It's been a very demanding two seasons [2022 to 2024], not just at the club... I'm getting my training as a coach, I have my family, and the decision I had to make was that I had to stop being part of Benfica's coaching staff. The reason is to follow my training, to be better prepared and one day be able to come back here, to my club. That's how I feel, it's my club, my home, and I'm going to continue my training so that one day I can come back, and come back better prepared," Javi García revealed in an interview with BTV that you can watch and read here.

Ricardo Rocha is back at the Glorioso. After 17 years, the former footballer, who wore the Sacred Mantle for four and a half seasons (from 2002/03 to January 2007), rejoins the club to work as an assistant coach in the coaching staff led by Roger Schmidt.

As a Red player, Ricardo Rocha participated in more than 160 official games for the eagles and won the National Championship (2004/05), the Portuguese Cup (2003/04) and the Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup (2005/06).

With a strong sentimental connection to Benfica, the former defender made his competitive debut in red and white on August 24, 2002, writing the first of many pages in his history at the club for which he played the most senior matches.