Jose Mourinho is set to return to his native Portugal for a new assignment? As per noted football jounralist and transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano, it is only a matter of time before the 62-year-old could ink a deak with his homeland's footballing powerhouse Benfica. "Benfica are in advanced talks with Jose 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," Fabrizio Romano said on X on Wednesday.
Benfica said in a statement on Wednesday they had reached an agreement to part ways with Lage following the home loss to the Azerbaijani side. Benfica President Rui Costa said the club would quickly name Lage's successor before their league game against AVS Futebol SAD on Saturday. "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," he told a press conference. "But, unfortunately, the time has come, and we believe it was time for a change. As for the next coach: we obviously hope that on Saturday, in Vila das Aves, we will already have the new coach on the bench."
Benfica are currently sixth in the Primeira Liga, having won three and drawn one. From a few interesting coincidences to incredible ironies, there are some factors that make this signing rumour interesting. Here are five such facts that are too good to be true, even for the former AS Roma manager:
- Benfica on Tuesday sacked gaffer Bruno Lage after the team suffered an upset at the hands of Azerbaijan's Qarabag in the UEFA Champions League.
- Interestingly, "The Special One" began his managerial career in Portugal a quarter-century ago with Benfica. He was in charge of the Eagles for eleven games before joining Uniao de Leiria and later becoming a modern legend at the helm of Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.
- Jose Mourinho is a cult hero for Porto fans, the club with which he scripted the ultimate underdog story by he lifting the 2004 Champions League. It needs to be seen howboth Benfica and Porto camps adopt to the new reality, if the deal happenns.
- Mourinho lost his Fenerbahce job as a consequence of being beaten by Benfica, which denied them a spot in the Champions League. Really, what are the odds!
- If the rumours prove true, then Mourinho is set for a return to London as Benfica is scheduled to take on Chelsea at their den on September 30 in the European competition.