Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is set to return to Benfica after it parted ways with Bruno Lage.
Benfica is preparing to appoint Jose Mourinho as a successor to Bruno Lage after reaching an agreement with the former Manchester United manager.
Mourinho is on track for a quick return to coaching, with Benfica expected to name him as their new manager by the weekend following Lage’s firing.
Initially, the Portuguese club had been considering Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim for the role, but they have now finalized a deal with Mourinho.
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Having left Fenerbahce in August, Mourinho previously managed Benfica in 2000, overseeing 11 matches during his first coaching tenure.
Portuguese media reports indicate that he is getting ready for a swift return to Estadio da Luz as Benfica reacts to their disappointing Champions League loss to Qarabag.
Lage faced significant criticism after losing a 2-0 lead at home and was let go early Wednesday morning.
Benfica’s president, Rui Costa, stated that a change in management was necessary following the poor performance, as the club aims to regain its position as the leading team in Portugal.
Costa said that “we expect to have the new coach on the bench at Vila das Aves next Saturday.”
At 62, Mourinho holds a legendary status in Portuguese football.
He first made his mark at Porto, where he achieved domestic success and won both the UEFA Cup and Champions League in consecutive seasons before moving to Chelsea, according to the Mirror.
If Benfica successfully brings Mourinho on board, it could complicate Amorim’s position at United, which is becoming increasingly precarious.
