Portuguese giants Benfica have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Jose Mourinho to take charge of the club’s first team.
Naija News reports that Mourinho is expected to succeed Bruno Lage, who was dismissed after a Champions League defeat to Qarabag.
According to CNN Portugal on Tuesday, both parties have reportedly agreed in principle, with contract details now being finalised.
Curiously, Mourinho’s latest opportunity comes from the same club that marked the start of his career as a head coach.
He took charge of Benfica briefly during the 2000/2001 season after working as an assistant at Barcelona.
However, his spell lasted just 10 games, during which he secured five victories, including a 3-0 win over Sporting Lisbon in his last game at the Estádio da Luz.
Mourinho resigned at the time, claiming he did not enjoy the management’s confidence, after then-president Manuel Vilarinho revealed Toni was his preferred candidate.
After leaving Benfica, Mourinho moved to União de Leiria, a stepping stone that launched him to the heights of FC Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
He later returned to Chelsea, winning the Premier League again, and went on to coach Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma and most recently Fenerbahce.
While his later spells lacked the brilliance of his early years, Mourinho still secured silverware, including the inaugural Europa Conference League with Roma.
For Benfica president Rui Costa, Mourinho’s appointment could be a lifeline. Costa has faced growing pressure following the team’s poor start to the season, with polls suggesting João Noronha Lopes could replace him.
Bringing Mourinho back to the Estádio da Luz is seen as both a bold gamble and an attempt to steady the club’s faltering campaign, Naija News reports.
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