Portuguese giants sack Bruno Lage after Champions League upset
Benfica have opened negotiations with Jose Mourinho over a dramatic return to the club, following the dismissal of head coach Bruno Lage on Tuesday night.
The decision came just hours after Benfica’s shock 3-2 home defeat to Qarabag in the Champions League, a result that compounded a poor start to the season.
What Rui Costa said
Club president Rui Costa confirmed Lage’s departure in the early hours of Wednesday morning, thanking him for his service but stressing the need for a new direction.
“Today we reached an agreement with Bruno Lage to step down as Benfica’s coach. I thank him for everything he’s done for our club, but we believe it’s time for a change,” Costa told reporters.
He added, “The Benfica coach must be a winner. He must be a coach who represents a club of this size and has the ability to bring this team to the required levels.”
Costa revealed that Benfica expect to have a new manager in place before Saturday’s league clash with AVS.
Lage’s mixed record
Lage, who took charge last year, guided Benfica to the Portuguese League Cup but fell just short in the league, finishing two points behind rivals Sporting CP.
His dismissal came after a run of disappointing results, capped by the Qarabag defeat that stunned supporters at Estádio da Luz.
Mourinho’s Benfica connection
Mourinho, is currently out of work after being dismissed by Fenerbahçe three weeks ago, following a Champions League play-off loss to none other than Benfica.
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Tottenham boss began his managerial career at Benfica back in 2000, but his first spell lasted just nine league games before he resigned after a disagreement with then-president Manuel Vilarinho.
Talks underway for swift appointment
Reports in Portugal suggest Benfica have already entered advanced talks with Mourinho and hope to finalise a deal in time for him to lead the team this weekend.
A return would see the “Special One” resume duties at the club where his managerial journey began, more than two decades after his short-lived first spell.
For Benfica, who remain ambitious in Europe despite a stuttering start, Mourinho’s arrival could provide both stability and star power at a critical moment.
