In the summer, Jose Mourinho was strongly touted with a move to Leeds United. Doubts over Daniel Farke’s ability to keep Leeds in the Premier League have reignited those links.
During his Fenerbahce tenure, Mourinho was even quoted as saying he would like to join a Premier League club that are not fighting for trophies. To mastermind a climb up the league with a lesser side.
Following promotion and winning the Championship title, it is believed The 49ers considered replacing Daniel Farke. Leeds even approached Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Davide Ancelotti and Roger Schmidt.
Mourinho was also said to be tempted by Leeds, while still in the Fenerbahce job. But Richard Keys says Mourinho turned Paraag Marathe down, and that is why The Whites opted to remain with boss Farke.
Jose Mourinho looks on during Fenerbahce's clash against Sivasspor.
Photo by Sercan Kucuksahin/Anadolu via Getty Images
Jose Mourinho has picked his next club after Fenerbahce exit
Failure to qualify for the Champions League group stage saw Mourinho decide to leave Fenerbahce after a year in the role. Italian gaffer Domenico Tedesco has replaced him, after leaving the Belgium post.
TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook suggested Mourinho could join West Ham or Leeds last week. But after Benfica suffered defeat to Qarabag in the Champions League, the Portuguese side have sacked boss Bruno Lage.
Bruno Lage before being sacked by Benfica.
Photo by Valter Gouveia/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images
Fabrizio Romano reports that Benfica have moved quickly and approached Mourinho as a replacement for former Wolves boss Lage. A deal to take the former Porto manager to Benfica is expected shortly.
“Benfica are in advanced talks with José Mourinho after Bruno Lage got sacked. Understand Mourinho has opened doors to Benfica, he wants to return to coaching immediately. Could be sealed soon.”
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🚨💣 BREAKING: Benfica are in advanced talks with José Mourinho after Bruno Lage got sacked overnight! ❤️🤍
Understand Mourinho has opened doors to Benfica move as he wants to return to coaching immediately.
The agreement could be sealed soon. 🦅 pic.twitter.com/RL8eZmn5BY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 17, 2025
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Jose Mourinho’s incredible career in numbers ahead of Benfica
Many associate Mourinho with Porto when it comes to Portuguese football, but the ‘Special One’ actually began his managerial career with Benfica. He won six of 11 games but left after a contractual dispute.
Club Spell Games W-D-L PPG Honours
Benfica 2000 11 6-3-2 1.90 N/A
Uniao De Leiria 2001-02 23 12-8-3 1.91 N/A
Porto 2002-04 127 91-21-15 2.31 2 x Leagues2 x Cups1 x Champions League1 x UEFA Cup
Chelsea 2004-07 185 124-40-21 2.23 2 x Leagues1 x FA Cup2 x League Cups1 x Community Shield
Inter Milan 2008-10 108 67-26-15 2.10 2 x Leagues2 x Cups1x Champions League
Real Madrid 2010-13 178 128-28-22 2.31 1 x League2 x Cups
Chelsea 2013-15 136 80-29-27 1.98 1 x League1 x League Cup
Man United 2016-18 144 84-32-28 1.97 1 x Europa League1 x League Cup1 x Community Shield
Tottenham 2019-21 86 44-19-23 1.76 N/A
Roma 2021-24 138 68-31-39 1.70 1 x Conference League
Fenerbahce 2024-25 62 37-14-11 2.02 N/A
Total: 1195 738-250-207 2.02 8 x Leagues2 x Champions Leagues2 x UEFA Cup/Europa League1 x Conference League13 x Domestic Cups
A move to Uniao De Leiria came next and 12 wins in 23 earned his move to Porto. The rest is history. The Portuguese manager has coached Chelsea, Man United, Tottenham, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Roma.
His time in Turkey was impressive, without winning the league. But now, he returns to where it all started at Benfica, as he looks to get their Champions League and Liga NOS campaign back on track.