MOURINHO DECLARES INTEREST IN BENFICA RETURN AFTER LAGE SACKING

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Agency Report

Jose Mourinho has confirmed his interest in returning for a second spell as Benfica coach, following the dismissal of Bruno Lage after the club’s shock Champions League defeat to Qarabag.

Benfica president Rui Costa announced Lage’s sacking on Tuesday night after the Lisbon giants squandered a 2-0 lead at home before falling 3-2 in a disastrous start to their league-phase campaign.

Mourinho, who parted ways with Fenerbahce last month, arrived in Lisbon on Wednesday and revealed that Benfica had already reached out to him.

“Benfica officially asked me if I was interested… What coach says no to Benfica? Not me,” Mourinho told reporters. “When I was presented with the opportunity to coach Benfica, I didn’t hesitate to say that I’m interested, that I’d like to.”

Mourinho began his managerial career at Benfica in 2000, but his tenure lasted just 11 matches before he departed for Uniao de Leiria and later Porto, where he won back-to-back league titles and the 2004 Champions League.

Despite his recent dismissal in Turkey, the Portuguese tactician remains one of the most decorated managers in European football, having led Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid to multiple trophies.

Outgoing coach Lage, who won the Portuguese league with Benfica in 2019 and lifted the Portuguese Cup last season, wished his successor well.

“I don’t know if Mr Mourinho will be confirmed or not. The important thing is that he’s a man who knows Benfica very well,” Lage said on Wednesday.

Benfica are expected to confirm their new coach before Saturday’s league fixture against AVS.