Jose Mourinho: Portuguese Manager Set for Stamford Bridge Return After Accepting New Job
- Jose Mourinho, who was recently sacked by Fenerbahce, has reached an agreement in principle to become the new manager at Benfica
- The tactician is set for a return to Stamford Bridge, where they take on Chelsea in a European encounter
- Benfica have decided to part ways with their head coach, Bruno Lage, following their 3-2 home loss to Qarabag on Tuesday night
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has accepted to become the new manager at Portuguese club Benfica, which would see him visit Stamford Bridge soon.
The Blues may soon welcome their former boss, who was sacked by Turkish club Fenerbahce last month.
He was in Turkey for just over a year after leading Fenerbahce to finish in second position last season, with 11 points behind rivals Galatasaray.
Source: Getty Images
Although the club backed the tactician in the summer transfer window, they decided to allow him leave after they lost their Champions League play-off to Benfica.
In a twist of fate, the 'special one' could now benefit from his own misfortune after Benfica lost to Qarabag, per Mirror.
It was gathered that Mourinho has emerged as the leading contender to replace the sacked manager Bruno Lage after they fell to Qarabag.
If the tactician lands the job, he would lead the team to Stamford Bridge for their UEFA Champions League game against Chelsea.
According to CNN Portugal, Benfica have already reached an agreement in principle with the Portuguese coach to succeed Lage.
The president of the club, Rui Costa, has stated that Benfica will make efforts to land the new head coach in time for their game this weekend. He said:
"Regarding the next coach, we expect to have the new one on the bench at Vila das Aves next Saturday."
Having served under Sir Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal as assistant at Spanish club Barcelona, Mourinho began his managerial career at Benfica in September 2000.
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Despite winning six matches in 11 games, he had a fallout with the then-president and was forced to resign.
He was then appointed at Porto, leading them to the UEFA Cup and Champions League titles, before he was appointed Chelsea manager in 2004.
Mourinho won back-to-back Premier League titles in his first spell with the London club, and also claimed the FA Cup and two League Cups, before leaving in September 2007.
He returned for a second stint in 2013, winning the Premier League and League Cup in his second season, and left in December 2015.
Source: Getty Images
Benfica have a Champions League date with Chelsea on September 30, which could mark Mourinho’s first match as an opposition manager at Stamford Bridge since a 0-0 draw as Spurs boss in November 2020.
Ten Hag sacked at Leverkusen
Legit.ng earlier reported that Erik ten Hag has been relieved of his duties as the manager of Bayer Leverkusen after a poor start in the 2025/26 Bundesliga.
The decision comes in the wake of Leverkusen’s 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen, despite a red card in the 63rd minute for the latter.
Source: Legit.ng
