Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Jose Mourinho, Benfica, Champions League, Premier League
Josh Lawless
Topics: Jose Mourinho, Benfica, Champions League, Premier League
Jose Mourinho could be in line for a first major signing at Benfica, where he is posed to make a stunning return to management.
The Lisbon giants sacked manager Bruno Lage overnight after a humiliating 3-2 Champions League defeat to Qarabag on Tuesday.
Benfica were 2-0 up but threw the game away at the Estadio da Luz in a result which ultimately cost the former Wolves boss his job.
But Benfica are not wasting anytime in replacing Lage, with reports immediately indicating that they were closing in on the appointment of Mourinho - who had his very first managerial job with Portugal's most decorated club back in 2000.
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The club's president, former player Rui Costa announced Lage's departure in a press conference and outlined the type of coach Benfica wish to bring in.
"A Benfica coach's profile must be that of a winner," Costa said.
"A coach representing a club of this size must be one with the ability to bring this team to the levels we demand and give us the titles we desire.
"There's no point in talking about names here. No coach has been appointed, nor has any coach been mentioned to represent Benfica in the future."
Talks with Mourinho, who was only recently sacked by Fenerbahce after losing to Benfica in Champions League qualifier, are said to be at an advanced stage.
Benfica are currently in the middle of an election for a new president and prior to the news, Portuguese outlet Record reported that candidate Noronha Lopes wishes to sign Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva in January if he wins the poll.
Silva's contract expires at the end of the season but remains an integral part of Pep Guardiola's squad.
However, it's said that Benfica have already held talks with the 31-year-old and the club's top brass have prepared a contract.
They are hopeful that Silva can be released to return to his boyhood club in January - or move as a free agesnt in the summer.
Lopes was in attendance at the Etihad Stadium alongside vice-president Nuno Gomes on Sunday. to watch Silva get an assist in the 3-0 win over Manchester United.
Asked about Silva returning in the past, Lopes, who is winning in the presidential polls, described the former Monaco man as "a huge Benfica fan and someone all fans would love to have back here one day".
In 2023, Silva said he thinks about returning to Benfica "every year" and wants to "fulfil" a dream - having failed to properly make the grade in his first spell.
Silva came through the ranks at Benfica but made just three appearances in the first team and moved on to Monaco.
He has won six Premier League titles at City, as well as the Champions League, four League Cups and two FA Cups.