The Portuguese coach was dismissed by Fenerbahce last month after the Turkish side failed to secure a place in the Champions League group stage, falling short against Benfica with a narrow 1-0 aggregate loss. ..Continue Reading
Despite Fenerbahce missing out on Europe’s top club competition, Mourinho is now unexpectedly poised to return to the Champions League — this time with Benfica, the very team that knocked out his previous club.
Benfica parted ways with head coach Bruno Lage after a disappointing start to the season, culminating in a shocking 3-2 home defeat to Qarabag.
The Lisbon club had held a 2-0 lead before collapsing in the second half, prompting the board to act.
While speculation had linked current Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim with the vacant position, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reports that Mourinho has emerged as the frontrunner.
Talks are said to be progressing well, with Mourinho eager for a swift return to the sidelines and a deal possibly being finalized soon.
Mourinho began his managerial career at Benfica in September 2000, overseeing just 11 matches before departing.
Now, a return to the Estádio da Luz appears likely.
If appointed, his first match in charge could be this Saturday against AVS, with a potential Champions League reunion at Stamford Bridge against his former club Chelsea on September 30.
Should an agreement be reached, this would mark Mourinho’s 12th managerial position, including two previous spells each at Chelsea and Benfica.
Benfica president Rui Costa confirmed Lage’s dismissal during a late-night press conference, where he was asked directly about the possibility of Mourinho taking over.
Replying, he said: “The profile of the next coach will have to be a ‘winning coach’.”
Portuguese broadcaster CMTV has boldly claimed that all arrangements have been finalized for José Mourinho’s comeback at Estádio da Luz.
Bruno Lage, who was enjoying his second stint in charge of Benfica after clinching the league title in the 2018/19 season during his initial tenure, is once again unemployed.
After being reinstalled as manager in September 2024, Lage guided the team to a Taça da Liga triumph over Sporting last season, but his recent dismissal has brought that chapter to a close.
