AFCON 2025
Jose Mourinho is reportedly set to make a sensational return to Benfica, with a deal agreed for him to become the club’s new head coach.
The Portuguese giants acted swiftly after sacking former Wolves boss Bruno Lage on Tuesday night, following a shock Champions League home defeat to Qarabağ.
Announcing Lage’s departure, club president Rui Costa stated the club’s intent to appoint a new manager immediately.
“Regarding the new coach, we expect that by Saturday, in Vila das Aves, he will already be on the bench,” Costa said.
🚨💣 BREAKING: Benfica are in advanced talks with José Mourinho after Bruno Lage got sacked overnight! ❤️🤍
Understand Mourinho has opened doors to Benfica move as he wants to return to coaching immediately.
The agreement could be sealed soon. 🦅 pic.twitter.com/RL8eZmn5BY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 17, 2025
Mourinho is now poised to take the role just 19 days after his dismissal from Fenerbahçe. The move is laced with irony, as the three-time Premier League winner was given his marching orders after his Fenerbahçe side were knocked out of a Champions League qualifier by Lage’s Benfica in August.
In a remarkable twist of fate, the appointment would mark exactly 25 years to the day since Mourinho was first appointed as Benfica’s senior manager in September 2000.
That initial tenure was a brief one, lasting just nine league matches before his resignation.
If confirmed, this would be the Portuguese’s first job in his homeland since he left Porto for Chelsea in 2004 after winning the Champions League.
