Benfica sacked Bruno Lage after a shocking defeat to Qarabag in the Champions League. Reports suggest José Mourinho is close to returning to the club. Rui Costa aims to have a new coach by Saturday, with a potential clash against Mourinho’s former club Chelsea looming.
In a dramatic turn of events at Estádio da Luz, Benfica's club president, Rui Costa, has confirmed the departure of Bruno Lage following a shocking 3-2 defeat to Qarabag in their Champions League opening match. The loss, which saw Benfica squander a two-goal lead, has triggered a managerial crisis, with reports suggesting that José Mourinho is on the verge of a sensational return to the club.
Benfica, who were led by two early goals from Enzo Barrenechea and Vangelis Pavlidis, succumbed to a determined Qarabag side that secured their first-ever victory in the prestigious competition. This defeat means that Benfica has now failed to win their last six home games in the Champions League, a dismal record that ultimately sealed Lage’s fate. The pressure had been mounting on the manager, and the defeat proved to be the final straw for Rui Costa and the Benfica board.
Lage's tenure at Benfica began in September 2024, marking his second stint with the club. He had previously enjoyed a successful spell, leading Benfica to victory in the Taca da Liga (Portuguese League Cup) last season. During his most recent stint, the 49-year-old coach won an impressive 26 of his 34 matches, drawing five and losing only three. His side scored 86 goals during that period, reflecting his attacking approach. However, recent performances have been below par, and the Champions League defeat exposed deep-seated issues within the team.
Despite earlier expressions of support from Benfica presidential candidate Joao Noronha Lopes, who had downplayed rumors linking Ruben Amorim to the job, Rui Costa made the decisive announcement of Lage’s departure in a post-match press conference. The president’s words were clear and respectful, but also conveyed a sense of urgency and the need for change.
"I want to inform all Benfica fans that we have just reached an agreement with Bruno Lage, who is no longer Benfica’s coach as of today,” Rui Costa stated. “I would like to thank Bruno for everything he tried to do, everything he did for Benfica, and all the commitment he showed throughout this year representing our club. But, unfortunately, the time has come, and we believe it was time for a change."
The attention has now turned to who will replace Lage, with whispers intensifying about a potential return for José Mourinho. Mourinho's managerial career began at Benfica in 2000, but his first spell was short-lived, lasting only 10 games before a dispute with the club president led to his departure. However, Mourinho went on to achieve remarkable success at Porto, winning six trophies, including the Champions League in 2003-04.
Mourinho's recent departure from Fenerbahce after their failure to qualify for the Champions League group stage has made him available, and sources close to Benfica suggest that discussions are already underway. The prospect of Mourinho returning to Benfica has ignited excitement among fans, who view him as the ideal candidate to restore the club to its former glory. His tactical acumen, experience, and track record of winning trophies make him an attractive option for Rui Costa and the Benfica board.
When asked about the timeline for appointing a new coach, Rui Costa stated, "We obviously hope that on Saturday, in Vila das Aves, we will already have the new coach on the bench." This suggests that Benfica is moving quickly to secure Lage’s replacement and avoid any further disruption to the team. The timeline sets the stage for a swift appointment and fuels speculation that Mourinho could be in the dugout for Benfica’s next match.
If Benfica manages to appoint Mourinho, one of the first challenges would be a Champions League clash against his former club, Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge on September 30. This potential reunion would add an extra layer of intrigue to the already highly anticipated match and would provide Mourinho with an opportunity to prove himself against one of his former employers.
E Pluribus Unum. pic.twitter.com/EyOM6go7Ol
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) September 16, 2025
The situation at Benfica is evolving rapidly, but the sacking of Bruno Lage and the potential return of José Mourinho have created a sense of anticipation and excitement among fans. The coming days will be crucial as Benfica seeks to finalize the appointment of their new coach and begin the process of rebuilding the team after this setback.