![\"Jose](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_JS379119977.jpg\")
Jose Mourinho could be the new Benfica manager by this weekend<\/p>\nJose Mourinho was recently sacked by Fenerbahce but Benfica are now looking to bring him back to Portugal despite their president elect having his sights on Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim<\/p>\n
07:04, 17 Sep 2025Updated 07:52, 17 Sep 2025<\/p>\n
Jose Mourinho could be the new Benfica manager by this weekend<\/p>\n
Jose Mourinho could find a quick return to management, with Benfica<\/a> looking to appoint him by the weekend after sacking Bruno Lage. The Portuguese giants had been linked with Manchester United<\/a> manager Ruben Amorim<\/a>, but have reached an agreement with Mourinho.<\/p>\n The 62-year-old, who was sacked by Fenerbahce earlier this month<\/a>, led the Lisbon outfit for 11 games in his first managerial role back in 2000. Reports in Portugal now say he is set to return to Estadio da Luz as Benfica react to their embarrassing Champions League<\/a> loss to Qarabag.<\/p>\n Lage paid the price for squandering a 2-0 lead at home and was axed in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Benfica\u2019s president, Rui Costa, insisted a change of head coach was needed after the shocking result as they seek to become the premier club in Portugal again.<\/p>\n He made his intentions to act quickly very clear, with CNN Portugal<\/a> reporting that an agreement in principle has been reached, with the two parties now finalising a contract. Costa said: “Regarding the next coach, we expect to have the new one on the bench at Vila das Aves next Saturday.”<\/p>\n READ MORE: Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd future in fresh doubt as club chief releases statement<\/a>READ MORE: Man Utd’s eye-watering bill to sack failed managers as Ruben Amorim fee emerges<\/a><\/p>\n That is set to be Mourinho, who has a huge reputation in his homeland. It was with Porto that the iconic coach first made his name, dominating domestically and claiming the UEFA Cup and the Champions League in successive seasons before his move to Chelsea<\/a>.<\/p>\n Should Benfica land Mourinho then it may well close off an escape route for Amorim, whose job at United continues to look precarious.<\/a> That is despite the Old Trafford hierarchy maintained they are behind their man, regardless of his horrendous record.<\/p>\n The leading candidate to become Benfica’s next president, Joao Noronha Lopes, travelled to Manchester last weekend to watch Amorim’s side lose 3-0 to Manchester City<\/a> at the Etihad. Lopes has made no secret of his plans to bring Amorim back to Benfica if he does down Costa in next month\u2019s elections.<\/p>\n Speaking in an interview with Record earlier this week, he made no hiding of his admiration for Amorim – although did distance himself from actually appointing him.<\/p>\n He said: “Ruben Amorim? He’s a great coach, he has a contract with Manchester United. 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.”<\/p>\n Lopes’ vice-president would be Nuno Gomes – one of Amorim’s best friends who played alongside him for Benfica and Portugal – and the ex-striker has made it clear that he sees the United boss being back in Lisbon one day.<\/p>\n He was asked about the prospect of him returning and claimed: “Ruben Amorim is the coach of Manchester United, I can’t answer that question. One thing I know, Ruben Amorim will be the coach of Benfica one day.”<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Ruben](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_GettyImages-2235403389.jpg\")
Ruben Amorim was on the radar of Benfica’s potential president(Image: Carl Recine\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1752754815_749_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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