The season ran from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999; Benfica competed domestically in the Primeira Divisão and the Taça de Portugal.

The Scottish brought in a handful of British players to the team, but only Michael Thomas, Mark Pembridge and Dean Saunders got regular playing time.

The season started with the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League, which the club successfully passes, although not without drama.

[2] The Scottish also brought in reinforcements from England, inspired by the effect that Poborský and Brian Deane had in the team, when they joined in January.

However, in Israel, the team suffered a setback, conceding four goals, that although it did not harm progress to the group stage, it upset the management.

[6] In Europe, the situation was not any better, with five points dropped against HJK Helsinki, who were making their debut in the group stage of the Champions League.

His signings – Michael Thomas and Mark Pembridge in July, Dean Saunders in January, Steve Harkness and Gary Charles in March – rarely ever get it right.

Till the end, it is Shéu who leads the team, and holds on to the third place with a draw in the last match-day..." After five points earned in three match days in early November, the team faced FC Porto for the Clássico on the road, losing for a fifth consecutive season, and ending up in fifth place with a seven-point gap for the leader.

[7] Nonetheless, with the advancing season, Benfica performance improved, starting a seven-game winning streak that spread two months, and saw the jump to second, only a point behind leaders Porto.

[12][13][5] He was banned from entering the stadium,[14] and Shéu replaced him in the final four matches, winning seven points out of twelve, but more importantly, securing the third place.