Jose Mourinho is weighing up the potential of taking cost at Benfica following the dismissal of Bruno Lage, who was sacked after Tuesday’s 3-2 house defeat to Qarabag within the Champions League.
Lage’s aspect surrendered a two-goal benefit towards the Azerbaijani champions at Estadio da Luz, prompting swift motion from the membership hierarchy.
Benfica president Rui Costa confirmed they purpose to nominate a brand new head coach by Saturday however refused to substantiate whether or not Mourinho is the frontrunner.
“Benfica coach’s profile have to be that of a winner,” Costa stated. “A coach representing a membership of this measurement have to be one with the flexibility to convey this staff to the degrees we demand and provides us the titles we need. There’s no level in speaking about names right here. No coach has been appointed, nor has any coach been talked about to symbolize Benfica sooner or later.”
Reviews recommend Mourinho is open to a return to Portuguese soccer, greater than twenty years after he first left to hitch Chelsea. The 61-year-old was dismissed by Fenerbahce on 29 August, shortly after Benfica eradicated the Turkish aspect within the Champions League play-offs.
Mourinho’s reference to Benfica goes again to 2000, when he managed the membership for simply 10 matches earlier than resigning amid a dispute with then-president Joao Vale e Azevedo.
He later established his popularity with Porto, successful six trophies – together with the Champions League in 2004 – earlier than embarking on a high-profile profession throughout Europe with Chelsea, Inter Milan, Actual Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, and most just lately Fenerbahce.
If he have been to return, Mourinho might face one in every of his former golf equipment nearly instantly, with Benfica set to play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 30 September. Their group stage additionally contains journeys to Newcastle United and a house tie towards Actual Madrid.
Domestically, Benfica sit sixth within the Primeira Liga, 5 factors behind leaders Porto with a sport in hand. They completed second final season below Lage, simply two factors behind champions Sporting.
The choice to half methods with Lage comes at a politically charged second for the membership, with presidential elections scheduled for 25 October.
Candidate Joao Noronha Lopes, extensively thought of the favourite, is believed to be considering prising Ruben Amorim away from Manchester United, having watched him on the Etihad on Sunday.
Costa, nevertheless, denied that the managerial change was linked to the upcoming election. “I’m not right here to avoid wasting any positions,” he stated.
“I haven’t even gone wherever to marketing campaign but, as a result of my aim, as president of Benfica, is to make sure the most effective future for Benfica, no matter what occurs within the elections.
“And this decision-making has to do solely and solely with Benfica’s sporting season, and to keep away from jeopardising Benfica’s sporting season. I’ve by no means put my pursuits forward of Benfica’s, and I’m not going to take action now.”
