Jose Mourinho is closing in on a dramatic return to management with Benfica, two decades after first taking charge of the Portuguese giants. The 61-year-old is in advanced talks to replace Bruno Lage, who was sacked following Tuesday’s shock 3-2 Champions League defeat to Qarabag at Estadio da Luz.
Benfica president Rui Costa confirmed the club intend to have a new manager in place before Saturday’s league fixture, though he stopped short of naming Mourinho as their choice. BBC Sport understands the two parties are negotiating, with Mourinho keen on a return to his homeland 21 years after he left Benfica for Chelsea.
Benfica Seek a Winner
Costa was clear on the type of manager Benfica need to get their season back on track. “A Benfica coach’s profile must be that of a winner,” he said. “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.”
Benfica’s collapse against Qarabag, throwing away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2, has left them bottom of their Champions League group and dented confidence at home. They sit sixth in the Primeira Liga, five points off leaders Porto but with a game in hand.
The decision to sack Lage, who guided Benfica to second place last season just two points behind champions Sporting, comes at a politically charged moment. The club’s presidential election is scheduled for 25 October, with Rui Costa seeking re-election against Joao Noronha Lopes, who is said to favour Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim as his long-term managerial choice. Costa, however, insists the dismissal of Lage was driven by sporting reasons, not politics.
“I’m not here to save any positions,” he said. “This decision-making has to do solely and exclusively with Benfica’s sporting season. I’ve never put my interests ahead of Benfica’s, and I’m not going to do so now.”
Mourinho’s career comes full circle
Mourinho began his managerial career at Benfica in 2000 but lasted only 10 games before leaving after a dispute with then-president João Vale e Azevedo. His real breakthrough came at Porto, where between 2002 and 2004 he won six trophies, including the 2004 Champions League.
Since then, Mourinho has become one of the most decorated coaches in football history, winning league titles in Portugal, England, Italy, and Spain. His CV includes two Champions League triumphs, at Porto and Inter Milan, as well as major silverware with Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Roma.
Most recently, he was dismissed by Fenerbahce in August, just days after his side were knocked out of the Champions League play-offs by Benfica—an irony not lost on fans watching this potential reunion unfold.
High-stakes fixtures ahead
Should Mourinho be appointed, his second spell at Benfica could hardly begin with greater intrigue. The club face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 30 September in the Champions League, pitting Mourinho against the team where he first established himself as a global coaching superstar.
Benfica’s group stage challenges also include matches against Newcastle United and Real Madrid, adding further pressure to turn the club’s fortunes around swiftly. Domestically, they need momentum if they are to close the gap on Porto and Sporting in the title race.
Mourinho himself is no stranger to high-pressure jobs, and his ability to galvanise teams in difficult situations remains part of his enduring appeal. While some critics argue his tactical methods are outdated, his record of winning silverware wherever he has gone ensures he remains one of football’s most marketable and compelling figures.
For Mourinho, a return to Benfica would carry deep symbolism. It would bring his career full circle, back to the club where his managerial journey began. For Benfica, appointing a proven winner with international pedigree could steady the ship and reassure fans at a time of uncertainty both on and off the pitch.
Whether this reunion ends in glory or disappointment remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Jose Mourinho back at Benfica would be one of the stories of the season.
