José Mourinho has confirmed he is in advanced talks to become Benfica’s next manager after landing in Lisbon on Wednesday.
The veteran coach, who only recently parted ways with Fenerbahce, is being lined up to replace Bruno Lage. Lage’s dismissal came in the wake of Benfica’s shocking Champions League loss to Qarabag at Estádio da Luz, a result that left fans stunned.
Speaking to reporters upon arrival, Mourinho appeared calm but admitted the offer from Benfica was too big to turn down.
“Benfica officially asked me if I was interested. What coach says no to Benfica? Not me,” he said. “When the opportunity came, I didn’t hesitate to say I’d like to take it.”
A return would be symbolic—Benfica was the club where Mourinho’s managerial story first began in 2000. That spell was short, just 11 matches, before disagreements with the president saw him depart. Within two years, he was lifting six trophies with Porto, including the Champions League in 2004.
Since then, Mourinho has managed some of the biggest names in football: Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, and most recently, Fenerbahce.
Ironically, it was Benfica who cut short his Turkish adventure. They knocked Fenerbahce out of the Champions League play-offs on August 27, and Mourinho’s exit followed two days later.
If the appointment goes through, Mourinho will walk into a storm. Benfica’s Champions League group is brutal, with upcoming clashes against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a trip to Newcastle, and a home tie against Real Madrid—all within weeks of his possible return.
