Portuguese legend José Mourinho is set to return to Benfica as the club’s new manager.
In a stunning and rapid turn of events, Portuguese football icon José Mourinho is on the brink of a sensational return to his homeland, with reports indicating he has reached an agreement to become the new head coach of Benfica.
The move comes just hours after the club officially parted ways with manager Bruno Lage following a shocking Champions League defeat.
The news has sent shockwaves through the football world, marking a poignant homecoming for the “Special One”, who began his illustrious managerial career at the Estádio da Luz nearly a quarter of a century ago.
The appointment is expected to be confirmed in the coming days, with Mourinho potentially taking to the dugout as early as this weekend.
The Catalyst: Champions League Humiliation
The swift change in management was triggered by Benfica’s humiliating 3-2 home defeat to Azerbaijani club Qarabag FK in a Champions League playoff.
The loss, which saw Benfica squander a two-goal lead, was seen as an unacceptable blow to the club’s European ambitions and prompted Benfica President Rui Costa to act immediately.
Speaking to the press after Lage’s dismissal, Costa stated that the new manager would need to be a “winning coach”, a clear signal that the club was targeting a high-profile replacement.
The search reportedly focused on Mourinho, who was recently sacked by Turkish club Fenerbahce after they, ironically, were knocked out of the Champions League by Benfica in the playoff round.
A Full-Circle Moment for the “Special One”
For Mourinho, 62, the move to Benfica represents a full-circle moment. His very first senior managerial role was at Benfica in 2000, but his tenure lasted only 11 matches due to a contract dispute with the then-club president.
From that short-lived start, he went on to build a legacy as one of the most decorated managers of all time, winning league titles in Portugal, England, Italy, and Spain, and securing two Champions League trophies with Porto and Inter Milan.
His return to Lisbon is a chance to not only rebuild his own reputation after a challenging recent period but also to re-establish Benfica’s dominance both domestically and on the European stage.
The club is desperate to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite, and in Mourinho, they see a manager with the pedigree and winning mentality to achieve just that.
A Fiery Reunion on the Horizon
The appointment sets up a series of captivating reunions. If the deal is finalized, Mourinho’s first European match in charge could see him return to Stamford Bridge on September 30th to face his former club, Chelsea, in a Champions League group stage match.
Later in the season, he will also be pitted against another of his former sides, Real Madrid.
The transfer market is now on high alert, as Mourinho’s arrival often signals a period of significant player movements.
As the final contract details are being worked out, fans around the world are watching to see if the “Special One” can once again work his magic and lead Benfica to glory.
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