1976–77 S.L. Benfica season

Académica de Coimbra. At the same time, they were eliminated from the European Cup by Dynamo Dresden without scoring a goal. In October, another loss, now with Boavista

José Augusto or foreigners like Aymoré Moreira and Miguel Muñoz.^[9][10] Six days later, players agreed that a foreign manager was the best option and on 10 July, John Mortimore was selected.^[11][12] He arrived on 12 July to discuss his contract,^[13] which he signed a day later.^[14] He took over the team on 26 July.^[15] Contrasting with the troubled signing of a manager, Benfica made very few squad adjustments, notably just Pietra and later Carlos Alhinho.^[16][17] Biggest departure was Rui Jordão, who finally had his move to Spain.^[18] Benfica's first preparation games were in Brazil on 13 and 15 August,^[19][20] with the team competing in the Trofeo Cidade de Vigo shortly after.^[21][22] The pre-season ended with two games in Cameroon.^[23] After three losses in the preparation games, Toni worriedly said: "I am afraid of this team. The members will demand the league, but...".^[24]

Académica de Coimbra at home.^[25] The first month of the season ended with a home draw with Dresden, which eliminated Benfica on the first round.^[25] Going out in the first round of the European Cup without scoring was unprecedented until then.^[26] October began with a game on the road against Vitória de Setúbal, which Benfica lost by 2–1.^[27] This put the team in 13th place, six points away from leaders Sporting.^[28] Mortimore was feeling the pressure and his work began to be questioned. Romão Martins responded with "With Hagan in 1970–71, we were six points from first place at match-day 15 and still won the league...".^[27] An members meet was also brought up to discuss the club signing policy, which blocked signing foreigners. It was rejected.^[27] Nonetheless, Benfica performance improved and with a win against Boavista, they started a winning run that extended until January.^[27][28] However, this wins did not reduce the distance to top, as Sporting kept a five-point lead.^[28]

Vitória de Guimarães, but it did not harm their lead, as Sporting also drew in the same weekend.^[32] Three weeks later, on match-day 27, Benfica beat Beira-Mar by 4–0 and confirmed their 23rd league title.^[32][28] It was their six title in seven years, and their 14th in 18 years, broken down to a back-to-back and four three-in a row wins.^[32][34] Nené played all 30 matches and scored 23 goals, after being moved from right-winger to striker, due to the lack of quality options in that position.^[34] The 24 goals conceded by the team was also a league best.^[34]