17.9.2025
Jose Mourinho Wednesday evening finalised agreements with Benfica to take over as manager of the Portugues club.
Mourinho started out as coach with Benfica in 2000 and after 25 years of going around Europe to coach Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and his last stop Fenerbahçe in Turkey.
“Benfica officially asked me if I was interested. What coach says no to Benfica? Not me,” Mourinho told reporters after landing in Lisbon.
“When I was presented with the opportunity to coach Benfica, I didn’t hesitate to say that I’m interested, that I’d like to.”
Benfica sacked Bruno Lage after they surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Qarabag in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Benfica supporters made their feelings clear at full-time and Lage paid the price.
Speaking after the shock defeat to Qarabag, Benfica president Rui Costa addressed Large’s dismissal and claimed Benfica would have a new manager in place for the weekend trip to AVS. Costa said: “The Benfica coach’s profile must be that of a winner. 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.
“Now, of course, we’re making preparations so that on Saturday, Benfica will already have a coach on the bench.”
