The 62-year-old is in line to join his former club, Benfica, in a swift return to management
Jose Mourinho is in talks to re-join Benfica - the club in which he began his managerial careeropen image in gallery
Jose Mourinho is in talks to re-join Benfica - the club in which he began his managerial career (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
Your support helps us to tell the story
Support Now
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Following his sacking from Fenerbahce earlier this season, Jose Mourinho is circling an immediate return to management and is being lined up to join Benfica in a move which would put in on a collision course with former club Chelsea.
Mourinho was dismissed by Fenerbahce after failing to qualify for the Champions League and his time in Turkey ended in August just over a year since he joined the Super Lig outfit.
Reports on Wednesday morning suggest that the 62-year-old is one of the favourites to take over from Bruno Lage who was sacked by Benfica on Tuesday evening mere hours after the team’s surprise 3-2 defeat to Qarabag in the Champions League.
Should Mourinho re-join Benfica it would mark a sensational return to the Portuguese club he began his managerial career with 25 years ago. Even more remarkably, it was Benfica who beat Mourinho’s Fenerbahce to deny them a spot in the Champions League this season.
Back in 2000, Mourinho managed Benfica for 11 games before taking a full time position at Uniao de Leiria and later enjoying success at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
Benfica are sixth in the Primeira Liga having won three and drawn one of their opening four matches but less than positive performances and the defeat to Qarabag proved decisive for the board to relieve themselves of Bruno Lage in search of a ‘winner’.
Club president Rui Costa said: “We have reached an agreement with Bruno Lage to step down as Benfica’s coach. I thank him for everything he’s done for our club, but we believe it’s time for a change.
Jose Mourinho was sacked by Fenerbahce after missing out on a Champions League spot this seasonopen image in gallery
Jose Mourinho was sacked by Fenerbahce after missing out on a Champions League spot this season (AFP via Getty Images)
“Regarding the next coach, we expect to have the new one on the bench at Vila das Aves next Saturday. We’ve had a tough week for all Benfica fans, after the match against Santa Clara and this match against Qarabag. We haven’t compromised anything, we haven’t dropped out of any competition, but I believe this is the time for a change.
“The Benfica coach must be a winner. He must be a coach who represents a club of this size and has the ability to bring this team to the required levels. We won’t talk about names. Benfica is currently without a coach. The only thing that happened after the game was the conversation with Bruno Lage. No coach has been hired today.”
Should a deal be agreed with Benfica, Mourinho will likely be in place ahead of this weekend’s fixtures and will face a return to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in Champions League on September 30.