Broke in the Champions League
After embarrassment: Benfica releases trainer – prominent successor?
09/17/2025 – 9:58 a.m.Reading time: 1 min.
Benfica Lisbon caught a defeat against outsider Karabach after a tour. This has immediate consequences for the trainer.
A few hours after the disappointing Champions League bankruptcy against FK Karabach Agdam, Benfica Lisbon separated from coach Bruno Lage. The club leadership acted quickly – and apparently has a prominent name by the hand: José Mourinho.
According to matching media reports, the 62-year-old is said to have already given his approval for a commitment. The journal “A Bola” reports that the final negotiations could still be completed on Wednesday.
Mourinho had briefly trained Benfica in 2000 – at that time as the successor to Jupp Heynckes. Now the return could occur: after over two decades abroad, the Portuguese coach is apparently faced with a new task in his home country.
Mourinho recently worked for Fenerbahçe Istanbul. Against Benfica, of all people, the Turks ended in qualifying for the Champions League – shortly afterwards the coach was released.
Benfica had led 2-0 early in the league of the Champions League against Karabach, but in the end had to give up 2: 3.