Benfica have begun legal action to claim €7.5 million in compensation from their former manager Jorge Jesus after he quit the club to join arch rivals Sporting.
Jesus, 61, led the Lisbon side to three league titles in six years, including the league and cup Double in 2013-14, and two Europa League finals.
He also led the team to the last two Portuguese championships but announced on June 5 that he would cross the city to Sporting after a reported dispute over his salary.
The coach was on an annual wage of €4m at Benfica, and reports suggested the club were looking to reduce this sum. Instead, he signed a three-year contract with Sporting, where he began his career as a player, on €6m-a-year.
Club spokesman Joao Gabriel told Expresso that their former boss "unilaterally terminated the contract that bound him to the club and must pay the required compensation."
Jesus' lawyer, Luis Miguel Henrique has insisted that his client has done nothing wrong. He said: "He [Jesus] did nothing irregular. In June, before leaving on vacation, he ensured his future career and signed a contract with effect from July 1."
Benfica have already suffered from Jesus defecting, as they were beaten 1-0 by Sporting in the Super Cup on Aug. 9.