Portuguese giants Benfica are in advanced talks with Jose Mourinho to become their new head coach after sacking Bruno Lage following a shock Champions League defeat.
Benfica suffered a 3-2 loss at home on Tuesday night to Azerbaijan side Qarabag FK, despite leading 2-0 within the first 20 minutes. The defeat marked the first time a Portuguese club had ever lost to an Azerbaijani side in the Champions League, sparking outrage among fans and officials.
Qarabag staged a dramatic comeback with goals from Leandro Andrade in the 30th minute, Camilo Duran early in the second half, and Oleksiy Kashchuk who sealed the win. The result ended Lage’s second stint at Benfica, which lasted just over a year.
Club president Rui Costa confirmed Lage’s departure in a press conference. When asked about Mourinho, he said: “The profile of the next coach will have to be a ‘winning coach’.”
According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Mourinho is open to the move and has already held talks with Benfica. The 61-year-old is eyeing an immediate return to management following his recent exit from Turkish club Fenerbahce.
Benfica want to finalise Mourinho’s appointment within the next few days so he can take charge ahead of their upcoming league match against AVS.
Mourinho, a former manager of Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester United, began his head coaching career at Benfica in 2000 but resigned after just 11 games. His potential return is being seen as both a homecoming and a chance to restore the club’s reputation after their Champions League setback.
