Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho reaches 'agreement' with next club

Jose Mourinho could secure a swift return to management, with Benfica looking to install him by the weekend following Bruno Lage's dismissal. The Portuguese powerhouses had been linked with Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, but have now struck a deal with Mourinho.

The 62-year-old, who departed Fenerbahce last month, previously guided the Lisbon side for 11 matches in his maiden managerial position back in 2000. Portuguese media reports now suggest he is poised to return to the Estadio da Luz as Benfica respond to their humiliating Champions Leaguedefeat to Qarabag.

Lage bore the brunt of surrendering a 2-0 advantage at home and was dismissed in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Benfica's president, Rui Costa, maintained that a managerial switch was essential following the shocking result as they strive to reclaim their status as Portugal's dominant force.

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He made his desire to move swiftly abundantly clear, with CNN Portugal claiming that a preliminary agreement has been secured, with both sides now working through contractual details. Costa declared: "Regarding the next coach, we expect to have the new one on the bench at Vila das Aves next Saturday."

That appears destined to be Mourinho, who of course had two successful spells at Chelsea before a stale stint at Tottenham. It was at Porto where the legendary tactician initially established his reputation, ruling domestically and capturing the UEFA Cup and Champions League in consecutive campaigns before his switch to Chelsea, reports the Mirror.

If Benfica manages to secure Mourinho, it could potentially block an exit path for Amorim, whose position at United appears increasingly uncertain despite the Old Trafford board's insistence on their support, regardless of his poor track record.

Mourinho had been linked with the West Ham job, given the pressure Graham Potter has been under recently. Mourinho's love affair with the English game has often seen him touted to return to the UK, and he once claimed he would like to manage a team in the Premier League who are not involved in a European competition as well as one that's based in London.

"I think the best thing I have to do is, when I leave Fenerbahce, I go to a club that does not play UEFA competitions," Mourinho said. "If any club in England from the bottom of the table needs a coach in two years, I am ready to go."

However, he later clarified his stance. While he couldn't foresee himself battling it out at the foot of the table, insisting that only "brave guys" take on such jobs in the Premier League, he did reveal his enormous soft spot for London.

“I had three clubs in England, Chelsea twice, so in four different periods I’ve coached in England and I loved it," Mourinho said in October 2024. I’ve been so, so lucky to live in beautiful countries and beautiful cities like Istanbul, Rome, Madrid, Milan but my family lives in London. London is home so one day I want to be back, unless nobody wants me."