Jose Mourinho is closing in on a dramatic return to Benfica, 25 years after first taking charge of the Lisbon club, in a move that could pit him against Chelsea in the Champions League in just a fortnight.
The 62-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Fenerbahce earlier this summer, with his exit triggered by the Turkish side’s failure to qualify for the Champions League group stage.
That dismissal has left one of football’s most decorated coaches available on the market – and Benfica are wasting no time in securing his services.
According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, negotiations between Mourinho and the club he first managed in 2000 are now at an advanced stage, with an agreement potentially finalised as early as Wednesday.
Jose Mourinho managed Benfica for 11 matches back in 2000
|GETTY
Benfica’s hierarchy are eager to have a new coach in place before Saturday’s league clash with Vila das Aves.
Mourinho’s first stint at Benfica lasted just 11 matches before he departed to take over at Uniao de Leiria, but it proved the springboard to a glittering managerial career.
He went on to win the Champions League with Porto, league titles in four different countries and major trophies at Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United.
Benfica president Rui Costa confirmed that the club had parted company with Bruno Lage following a sluggish start to the season and said the new appointment must be a figure capable of restoring the team’s competitive edge.
JUST IN: Ricky Hatton's son posts emotional tribute to father after tragic death aged 46
“We have reached an agreement with Bruno Lage to step down as Benfica’s coach,” Rui Costa said.
“I thank him for everything he’s done for our club, but we believe it’s time for a change.
“Regarding the next coach, we expect to have the new one on the bench at Vila das Aves next Saturday.
“We’ve had a tough week for all Benfica fans, after the match against Santa Clara and this match against Qarabag.
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
Jose Mourinho won three Premier League titles across his two spells at Chelsea | GETTY"We haven’t compromised anything, we haven’t dropped out of any competition, but I believe this is the time for a change.
“The Benfica coach must be a winner. He must be a coach who represents a club of this size and has the ability to bring this team to the required levels.”
Should Mourinho’s appointment be confirmed, he will be back in the Champions League spotlight immediately — and fate could script a high-profile reunion.
Benfica are scheduled to face Chelsea, the club where Mourinho became a household name and won three Premier League titles, in just two weeks’ time.
Such a fixture would not only mark Mourinho’s first clash with his former employers since leaving Roma, but also reignite memories of the “Special One’s” first era of dominance in English football.
Mourinho arrived at Chelsea in 2004 after winning the Champions League with Porto and instantly made his mark.
Backed by Roman Abramovich, he guided the Blues to two consecutive league titles before their era of dominance was ended by Manchester United.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Jose Mourinho was axed by Fenerbahce following their failure to qualify for the Champions League group phase
|REUTERS
In 2013, after leaving Real Madrid, Mourinho returned to west London.
He won another league title but departed under a cloud in December 2015 after clashing with Blues medic Eva Carneiro.
How he fares at Benfica remains to be seen.