Benfica welcomes back Mourinho, the club responsible for his departure from Fenerbahcë
In a surprising turn of events, Jose Mourinho is poised to return to Benfica, the club where his managerial career began, following a shocking 3-2 defeat by Qarabag FK in the Champions League.
The move comes after Benfica dismissed 49-year-old Bruno Lage following the Champions League defeat. The potential successor to Lage, who has not yet been officially confirmed, is none other than Mourinho. Negotiations are reportedly in an advanced stage and could be finalized soon.
The discussions between Mourinho and Benfica are described as "advanced," with the possibility of the Special One being back on the touchline this weekend. If finalized, Mourinho could rescue Benfica from their current slump, a role that seems ironic given that it was Qarabag that ended his European challenge and led to his exit from Fenerbahce.
Qarabag, buoyed by their historic win, face Copenhagen next in the Champions League. The Azerbaijani side secured their first-ever win in the Champions League proper against Benfica, thanks to a series of impressive performances.
The comeback began in the 30th minute when Leandro Andrade scored for Qarabag. Camilo Duran equalized for Qarabag in the second half, minutes after entering the game as a substitute. The winning goal was scored by Oleksii Kashchuk in the 85th minute, securing a memorable victory for the Azerbaijani side.
Meanwhile, Mourinho's defensive approach in Turkey clashed with Fenerbahce's attacking ethos, leading to his dismissal. Interestingly, the goal that sealed Mourinho's exit from Fenerbahce was scored by Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who later joined Fenerbahce.
Mourinho has a wealth of experience, including two Champions League titles and league triumphs in multiple countries. His return to Benfica could mark a significant turnaround for the Portuguese club, who are facing upcoming fixtures, including a pivotal Champions League away game against Chelsea.
In the meantime, Pedro Bicalho, a Qarabag player, covered 12.1 km alone during the match, highlighting the team's impressive work rate. Statistically, Qarabag dominated critical areas, with high passing accuracy and an impressive work rate.
As the football world eagerly awaits the official confirmation of Mourinho's return to Benfica, one thing is certain: the game of football in Portugal is set for an exciting twist.
