The former Man Utd manager is set for an immediate return to club football after he was sacked by Fenerbahce.
Jose Mourinho is in 'advanced talks' to become the next Benfica manager a day after it was claimed Ruben Amorim was the 'leading candidate' for the role.
Benfica sacked head coach Bruno Lage after his side let a two-goal lead slip to lose 3-2 against Azerbaijan side Qarabag in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Club president Rui Costa claimed they hope to have a new manager appointed before the weekend, though he would not be drawn on the links with Mourinho.
The proposed appointment of Mourinho could be a huge boost for Costa as he looks to retain his role as club president in next month's elections. Joao Noronha Lopes is currently ahead in the polls and was at the Etihad Stadium over the weekend to watch Manchester United lose against Man City. The Daily Mail claim Lopes is a huge fan of Amorim and viewed him as the 'leading candidate' to become Benfica manager.
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No matter who is the next Benfica president, it seems they will be working alongside Mourinho, who is eager to make a quick return to club management. The former United and Chelsea boss was sacked by Fenerbahce on 29 August, two days after the Turkish club were eliminated from the Champions League play-offs by Benfica.
Taking to social media on Wednesday morning, Fabrizio Romano confirmed news of Mourinho's talks with Benfica over the managerial role. "Benfica are in advanced talks with José Mourinho after Bruno Lage got sacked overnight!," he wrote on X. "Understand Mourinho has opened doors to Benfica move as he wants to return to coaching immediately. The agreement could be sealed soon."
Speaking after Lage was sacked, Costa outlined what he wanted from his next manager amid the interest in Mourinho. "Benfica coach's profile must be that of a winner," he said. "A coach representing a club of this size must be one with the ability to bring this team to the levels we demand and give us the titles we desire. There's no point in talking about names here. No coach has been appointed, nor has any coach been mentioned to represent Benfica in the future."
The proposed appointment of Mourinho could be viewed as a blow to Amorim, given that he was viewed as the leading candidate for the role if he was to be sacked by United. It must be reiterated, though, that United currently have no plans to replace their head coach, as Amorim has been granted more time to turn things around at Old Trafford after being backed with £225 million in the summer transfer window. The former Sporting boss was only hired in November 2024 and Ineos would be reluctant to sack the man they pushed so hard to get, less than a year into his role.
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