Jose Mourinho is in discussions to return as head coach of Benfica, 25 years after his quick spell on the membership.
The 62-year-old was sacked by Fenerbahce final month after simply over a 12 months in cost however may now make a fast comeback in Portugal. Mourinho briefly managed Benfica between September and December 2000 earlier than leaving after a change within the membership’s management.
Benfica are on the lookout for a brand new supervisor after Bruno Lage was dismissed on Tuesday following a 3-2 dwelling defeat to Qarabag of Azerbaijan within the Champions League. The Portuguese giants had been two objectives forward earlier than collapsing to their first lack of the season.
Membership president Rui Costa confirmed Lage’s exit, saying: “I imagine that is the time for a change, exactly to keep away from compromising the season. The coach who is available in should be a profitable coach, somebody who can take us to the degrees we demand and ship the titles we need.”
Mourinho, who has received league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, in addition to two Champions League trophies, is without doubt one of the main candidates. Talks are nonetheless ongoing and no deal has been finalised.
If he returns to Benfica, Mourinho may face Chelsea — the membership the place he received three Premier League titles — later this month when Benfica go to Stamford Bridge within the Champions League.
Mourinho’s lengthy profession has included profitable spells at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Actual Madrid. He additionally managed Manchester United, Tottenham, and Roma, profitable the Europa League with United in 2017 and the Europa Convention League with Roma in 2022.
Now, after being knocked out of the Champions League by Benfica with Fenerbahce in August, Mourinho may quickly be again in Europe’s prime competitors — this time on the Portuguese membership’s bench.
