Jose Mourinho could be on his way back to Portugal in the few days as reports claim Benfica are looking to appoint him by the weekend after sacking Bruno Lage.
Lage was shown the exit door on Wednesday morning following Benfica’s shock defeat to Qarabag in UEFA Champions League. The Portuguese side squandered a 2-0 lead at home on Tuesday night and this was enough to see Lage lose his job.
Benfica’s president, Rui Costa is now eager to get a new coach on board as they seek to become the premier club in Portugal again.
According to CNN Portugal, an agreement in principle has been reached with Mourinho, with the two parties now finalising a contract. Costa said: “Regarding the next coach, we expect to have the new one on the bench at Vila das Aves next Saturday.”
José Mourinho was sacked at Fenerbahçe earlier this month. (Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Mourinho, who was sacked by Fenerbahce earlier this month, led the Benfica for 11 games in his first managerial role back in 2000. Despite also being linked with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, Mourinho seems to be the chosen man.
The 62-year-old has a huge reputation in his homeland. It was with Porto that the iconic coach first made his name, dominating domestically and claiming the UEFA Cup and the Champions League in successive seasons before his move to Chelsea.
Mourinho’s appointment will close off an escape route for Amorim, whose job at United continues to look precarious.
