José Mourinho is about to return to Portuguese football record champion Benfica Lisbon.
“Benfica officially asked me if I am interested. Which coach says no to Benfica? I don’t,” the 62-year-old told reporters on Wednesday after his landing in the Portuguese capital: “When I was given the opportunity to train Benfica, I said without hesitation that I would be interested and would like to come.” An official confirmation by the club was initially pending.
At Benfica, coach Bruno Lage was released from Tuesday to Wednesday after the 2-3 defeat in the Champions League against outsider Qarabag Agdam.
It was “time for a change,” said President Rui Costa: “It must be a coach who represents an association of this size and has the ability to bring this team to the required level.”
“The Special One” Mourinho had started his coaching career at Benfica 25 years ago. The 62-year-old is currently without a job because he was released at Fenerbahce Istanbul at the end of August after the missed Champions League qualification.