Jose Mourinho set for Chelsea reunion and Stamford Bridge return
by Jake Bayliss · football.londonChelsea could soon encounter legendary former manager Jose Mourinho as he edges closer to his next job. Mourinho was dismissed by Fenerbahce last month but is reportedly on the verge of taking charge at Benfica.
His tenure in Turkey lasted a little over a year. Fenerbahce finished second last season, trailing rivals Galatasaray by 11 points. Despite providing the manager with numerous new players in the transfer market, Fenerbahce opted to part company with Mourinho in August following their Champions League play-off defeat to Benfica.
Yet, in an ironic turn of events, Mourinho could capitalise on his previous setback. On Tuesday, the Portuguese giants dismissed manager Bruno Lage after their stunning 3-2 defeat against Qarabag in the league phase, and Mourinho appears to be the frontrunner for the newly vacant position, with Benfica scheduled to visit Chelsea in their next European fixture.
CNN Portugal has reported that Benfica have an agreement in principle with Mourinho to replace Lage. Club president Rui Costa confirmed Benfica are aiming to install a new head coach ahead of their weekend fixture. "Regarding the next coach, we expect to have the new one on the bench at Vila das Aves next Saturday," Costa said.
Mourinho began his managerial journey at Benfica in September 2000, after serving as an assistant to Sir Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal at Barcelona. However, his tenure lasted only 11 matches, despite securing six victories, as a disagreement with the new club president led to his resignation.
Mourinho then steered Porto to UEFA Cup and Champions League triumphs, which paved the way for his appointment as Chelsea manager in 2004. During his initial spell with the Blues, Mourinho clinched consecutive Premier League titles, along with the FA Cup and two League Cups, before departing in September 2007. Upon his return in 2013, Mourinho won the Premier League and League Cup in his second season, exiting in December 2015.
Benfica are scheduled to face Chelsea in the Champions League on September 30, which could see Mourinho's first appearance as an opposition manager at Stamford Bridge since a goalless draw as Spurs boss in November 2020. While in charge of Fenerbahce, Mourinho had hinted that his next job might be with another Premier League club, but he is now set to return to Benfica.
The Portuguese team currently sit sixth in the league, having notched up three victories and one draw from their opening four fixtures. However, their unexpected home loss to Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag ultimately led to Lage's dismissal.
Mourinho, who later faced criticism from Fenerbahce president Alic Koc, lauded Benfica's squad while still managing his former club. Despite suggesting that a late red card for Anderson Talisca hadn't aided his team's efforts, the 62-year-old heaped praise on their opponents.
Following Fenerbahce's Champions League play-off defeat, Mourinho expressed his disappointment but acknowledged their inferiority. "It is a club that knows this type of game, and obviously there is sadness in not being able to do it, but for me, I am aware that we lost against a team that is better than us," he said.
"We had chances, but then we were reduced to 10 men and the game was over. But I think overall, the better team went through."
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been linked with Benfica, fuelled by comments made by Joao Noronha Lopes, a leading contender for Benfica's presidency. "Ruben Amorim? He's a great coach, he has a contract with Manchester United," Lopes recently said, as reported by Record.
"I won't comment on that. Of course I like him. He's a great coach and a Benfica fan. I don't have a contract for Ruben to sign."
If Mourinho were to be appointed as Benfica boss, it would mark the iconic manager's first role in his home country since leading Porto to Champions League glory in 2004. His potential return to Chelsea at the end of the month would be eagerly awaited, but the Blues are currently concentrating on their away match against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
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