Benfica is in talks with José Mourinho after sacking Bruno Lage following a Champions League defeat. Rui Costa wants a ‘winning coach’ to restore the club to its former glory. Mourinho’s potential appointment would be a return to where his managerial career began.
In a dramatic turn of events at the Estádio da Luz, Benfica are reportedly in talks with José Mourinho to take over as manager after the club sacked Bruno Lage. The decision to relieve Lage of his duties came swiftly on the heels of a disappointing 3-2 Champions League defeat to Qarabag of Azerbaijan, a match where Benfica surrendered a 2-0 lead, leaving the club's hierarchy deeply concerned about the team's trajectory.
Mourinho, who had a brief and largely forgettable stint at Benfica between September and December 2000, is now being considered for a return to the club where his managerial career first began. This potential appointment would mark a significant homecoming for "The Special One", whose illustrious career has seen him manage some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, Fenerbahce and Roma.
Speaking at a press conference following Lage's dismissal, Benfica's president, Rui Costa, emphasized the need for a change to avoid compromising the season further. "I believe this is the time for a change, precisely to avoid compromising the season," Costa stated. "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." This statement has been widely interpreted as a clear indication of Benfica's ambition to bring in a high-profile, proven winner, with Mourinho fitting that description perfectly.
Mourinho's most recent managerial role was with Fenerbahce, where he was sacked last month after the team failed to progress to the league phase of the Champions League. Despite this setback, Mourinho's track record speaks for itself. He first rose to prominence with Benfica's domestic rivals, Porto, where he achieved remarkable success, winning the UEFA Cup in 2003 and the Champions League in 2004. This success propelled him to Chelsea, where he secured Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, and later in 2015 during his second spell at the club.
His Champions League triumph with Inter Milan in 2010 further cemented his status as one of the world's top managers. Although his tenure at Manchester United was not without its challenges, he still managed to guide them to the Europa League title in 2017. More recently, he led Roma to win the Conference League in 2022, showcasing his ability to deliver silverware even in less-fancied teams.
If Mourinho were to take the reins at Benfica, one of the intriguing early fixtures would be a Champions League clash against his former club, Chelsea, scheduled for 30 September. Furthermore, Benfica are set to conclude their Champions League league games at home against Real Madrid, another of Mourinho's previous teams, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the competition.
The potential appointment of Mourinho has sparked considerable excitement among Benfica fans, who are eager to see their team return to the pinnacle of Portuguese and European football. Mourinho's reputation for tactical astuteness, man-management skills, and ability to extract the best from his players makes him an attractive proposition for Benfica, who are determined to challenge for major honors.
However, some observers have raised concerns about Mourinho's recent managerial record, pointing to his less successful spells at Manchester United and Tottenham. His time at Tottenham ended abruptly when he was sacked just days before the team was due to compete in the 2021 League Cup final against Manchester City. Nevertheless, Mourinho remains a box-office name in football, and his arrival at Benfica would undoubtedly generate significant media attention and commercial opportunities for the club.
As negotiations between Benfica and Mourinho progress, the football world waits with bated breath to see if "The Special One" will return to the club where it all began. His appointment would not only signal a new era for Benfica but also add another fascinating chapter to Mourinho's already storied career. The coming weeks promise to be decisive as Benfica seeks to secure the services of a manager they believe can restore the club to its former glory.