Jose Mourinho could be back on the dugout of Benfica as the club’s head coach just a few weeks after he was sacked by Fernabache.
Reports from various sports outlets confirmed that Benfica and Jose Mourinho are in talks following the termination of Bruno Lage’s contract at the club. The former Manchester United and Chelsea manager was in charge of Benfica between September and December 2000.
This was Benfica’s first loss of the season after they blew a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Qarabag. Benfica president Rui Costa confirmed Lage had been dismissed in a press conference following the loss.
He said,
“I believe this is the time for a change, precisely to avoid compromising the season, and, consequently, the coach who comes in must be a winning coach. 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.”
If the deal is completed, Mourinho would face his former club Chelsea later this month, with Benfica visiting Stamford Bridge on September 30 in the Champions League. Mourinho first taste of success in Europe came in Portugal when he was in charge of Porto, winning the UEFA Cup in 2003 and the Champions League in 2004.