Jose Mourinho is reportedly close to becoming the new Benfica manager, which would see him face former club Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League
Jake Bayliss Sport Writer - U35s
13:27, 17 Sep 2025Updated 13:34, 17 Sep 2025
Jose Mourinho during a press conference
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly nearing a return to management(Image: Seskim Photo/MB Media/Getty Images)
Chelsea could soon face former manager Jose Mourinho as he nears a return to management.
Mourinho was dismissed by Fenerbahce last month but is reportedly on the verge of becoming Benfica's new boss. The Portuguese coach's stint in Turkey lasted just over 12 months, with his Fenerbahce side finishing runners-up last campaign, trailing rivals Galatasaray by 11 points. Despite supporting the manager in the transfer window, Fenerbahce opted to sack Mourinho in August following their Champions League play-off elimination to Benfica.
However, in a remarkable turn of events, Mourinho could be poised to benefit from his previous setback. On Tuesday, manager Bruno Lage was dismissed by Benfica after their shock 3-2 loss to Qarabag in the Champions League. Mourinho is reported to be one of the frontrunners for the Benfica job, with the club due to visit Chelsea in their upcoming European fixture.
CNN Portugal has reported that Benfica have reached a preliminary agreement with Mourinho to replace Lage. Club president Rui Costa confirmed Benfica aimed to have a new head coach ready for their weekend fixture. "Regarding the next coach, we expect to have the new one on the bench at Vila das Aves next Saturday," Costa said.
Mourinho's managerial career began at Benfica in September 2000, following his time as assistant to Sir Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal at Barcelona. Despite a promising start with six victories from 11 games, a disagreement with the new club president led to his resignation.
He then led Porto to UEFA Cup and Champions League triumphs, which paved the way for his appointment as Chelsea manager in 2004. During his initial tenure with the Blues, Mourinho clinched back-to-back Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and two League Cups before departing in September 2007. He returned for a second spell in 2013, securing the Premier League and League Cup in his second season, before leaving again in December 2015.
Benfica are due to play Chelsea in the Champions League on September 30, potentially marking Mourinho's first game as an opposition manager at Stamford Bridge since a goalless draw as Spurs boss in November 2020. Mourinho previously suggested he could return to the Premier League but is now set for a second stint at Benfica.
The Portuguese side currently sit sixth in the league, having secured three wins and one draw from their opening four matches. However, a shock home defeat to Azerbaijani team Qarabag ultimately led to Lage's dismissal.
Jose Mourinho and Bruno Lage
Jose Mourinho could succeed Bruno Lage at Benfica(Image: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Interestingly, Mourinho praised Benfica's squad while in charge of Fenerbahce. Despite suggesting that a late red card for Anderson Talisca had hindered his team, Mourinho commended the quality within Benfica's ranks.
"It is a club that knows this type of game, and obviously there is sadness in not being able to do it, but for me, I am aware that we lost against a team that is better than us," Mourinho said after Fenerbahce's Champions League play-off loss.
"We had chances, but then we were reduced to 10 men and the game was over. But I think overall, the better team went through."
Jose Mourinho with the Premier League trophy
Jose Mourinho won three Premier League titles in two spells at Chelsea(Image: AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)
Benfica had been linked with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, following comments made by Joao Noronha Lopes, who is a leading candidate to be Benfica's next president. "Ruben Amorim? He's a great coach, he has a contract with Manchester United," Lopes recently said, as reported by Record.
"I won't comment on that. Of course I like him. He's a great coach and a Benfica fan. I don't have a contract for Ruben to sign."
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Mourinho's potential appointment as Benfica manager would represent the iconic coach's first role in his native Portugal since orchestrating Porto's Champions League glory in 2004. His prospective clash with Chelsea at the end of the month would be intriguing, though the Blues are currently concentrating on their away fixture against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
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