Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is on the verge of returning to management, just a few weeks after being sacked by Fenerbahce.
Jose Mourinho has been out of work since he was dismissed by Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce at the end of August, after spending one season at the club.
Fenerbahce finished as runners-up in Mourinho’s only season as manager, 11 points adrift of champions Galatasaray. He was given just two league games in the new season before his exit was confirmed.
After missing out on a spot in the Champions League after a playoff defeat to Benfica, the former Manchester United manager was sent packing.
Mourinho was sacked 12 hours after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed by fellow Super Lig outfit Besiktas. The unfortunate trend continued when Erik ten Hag lost his job at Bayer Leverkusen.
However, Mourinho has wasted no time looking for a new job, with talks at an advanced stage for the ‘Special One’ to return to the dugout.
Jose Mourinho in the dugout for Fenerbahce
Photo by Bruno de Carvalho/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Benfica set to appoint Jose Mourinho
Mourinho’s availability would have come as a concern for many managers throughout Europe.
Before Nottingham Forest appointed Ange Postecoglou, it was suggested that Mourinho could return to the Premier League as Nuno Espirito Santo’s replacement.
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According to Ben Jacobs, Mourinho has ‘agreed’ to become Benfica’s new manager following the club’s decision to sack Bruno Lage in the early hours of the morning.
🚨 Jose Mourinho has agreed to become Benfica's new manager almost 25 years to the day after starting his managerial career with the club.
Bruno Lage was sacked after Benfica’s shock 3-2 Champions League defeat at home to Qarabag.
Mourinho will also return to Stamford Bridge on… pic.twitter.com/rCivMW0t09
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) September 17, 2025
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Lage was dismissed after Benfica’s 3-2 Champions League defeat at home to Qarabag.
Benfica president Rui Costa announced Lage’s departure in a press conference, where he was asked a question about Mourinho being a potential candidate.
Costa replied, as quoted by GOAL: “The profile of the next coach will have to be a ‘winning coach’.”
A deal is expected to materialise quickly between Mourinho, who became Benfica manager for the first time 25 years ago.
Benfica eye future under Ruben Amorim
At Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim is under mounting pressure after a poor start to the season.
United have four points from as many games after suffering elimination from the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town.
This has led to whispers in Portuguese media that Amorim could have a future at Benfica, yet they are pursuing a deal to appoint Mourinho.
Benfica’s vice president and former player, Nuno Gomes, has gone on record to say Amorim will be the coach of Benfica ‘one day’.
Amorim spent most of his playing career at Benfica.