Benfica Are Considering A Managerial Shake-Up Following Their Shocking 3-2 Defeat To Qarabag In The Champions League, With Bruno Lage Losing His Job After Throwing Away A Two-Goal Lead At Estadio Da Luz. Club President Rui Costa Confirmed That Benfica Intend To Have A New Manager In Place By Saturday, While Speculation Grows That Jose Mourinho Could Be The Preferred Candidate.
Mourinho, Who Began His Managerial Career At Benfica In 2000, Is Said To Be Open To Returning To Portugal 21 Years After Leaving For Chelsea. The Former Fenerbahce Boss Was Sacked On 29 August, Just Two Days After His Turkish Side Were Eliminated From The Champions League Play-Offs By Benfica.
“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.”
Mourinho Made His Name At Porto Between 2002 And 2004, Winning Six Trophies, Including The Champions League In 2003-04. Since Leaving Portugal, He Has Managed Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma, And Fenerbahce.
Should Benfica Appoint Mourinho, He Would Face Chelsea In The Champions League At Stamford Bridge On 30 September, While Also Taking On Newcastle United And Hosting Real Madrid Later In The Competition.
Currently, Benfica Sit Sixth In The Primeira Liga, Five Points Behind Leaders Porto But With A Game In Hand. Last Season, They Finished Second, Just Two Points Behind Sporting, Under Lage.
The Decision To Part Ways With Lage Comes Ahead Of Benfica’s Presidential Election On 25 October, With Favorite Joao Noronha Lopes Eyeing Manchester United Manager Ruben Amorim. Costa Insists That The Managerial Change Is Not Politically Motivated, Saying, “I’m Not Here To Save Any Positions… This Decision-Making Has To Do Solely And Exclusively With Benfica’s Sporting Season.”
As Rumors Swirl About Mourinho’s Return, Benfica Fans Will Be Watching Closely To See If The Special One Can Bring Titles Back To Estadio Da Luz And Restore The Club’s European Ambitions.
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