Big news from Portugal: Benfica have sacked Bruno Lage. He will likely be replaced by José Mourinho.
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Portuguese media report that Bruno Lage’s time at Benfica has already come to an abrupt end. The coach, who only took charge last season as the successor to Roger Schmidt, has been dismissed after a disappointing start to the new campaign, culminating in Tuesday’s shock 2-3 home defeat to Qarabag FK in the Champions League group stage.
Lage had arrived with the task of steadying the ship after Schmidt’s departure and initially managed to restore some competitiveness to Benfica. In his first year in charge, he guided the team to a strong domestic campaign, finishing second in the Primeira Liga. However, that achievement came with a bitter taste, as Benfica ended the season just two points behind their arch-rivals Sporting Portugal, who clinched the league title. The narrow gap suggested progress, but expectations at the Estádio da Luz are always sky-high, and anything short of silverware is often viewed as a failure.
The 2025/26 season began with mixed signals. Benfica collected three wins in their opening four league matches, yet their performances failed to convince fans and the club hierarchy. Despite being just four games in, the team sits only sixth in the table, raising doubts about their consistency and ability to compete for the title. The loss to Qarabag, however, was the tipping point. Conceding three goals at home to the Azerbaijani champions was not only a blow to Benfica’s Champions League campaign but also a humiliation that intensified pressure on Lage.
In the aftermath of the defeat, club president Rui Costa made the decisive call. Speaking on Tuesday night, he confirmed that Bruno Lage had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect, citing a lack of development in Benfica’s style of play and overall project. According to Rui Costa, the club could no longer afford to wait for signs of progress that never materialized, especially with both domestic and European ambitions hanging in the balance.
Attention quickly turned to who would succeed Lage, and reports across Portuguese media outlets were unanimous: José Mourinho is set to return to the club where he briefly began his managerial career. The 62-year-old Portuguese tactician, who was recently dismissed by Fenerbahçe after their own Champions League elimination at the hands of Benfica, appears to have found his next challenge almost instantly. For Benfica, the timing is symbolic, as Mourinho’s exit from Turkey was directly tied to the Lisbon giants.
If all goes according to plan, Mourinho will be unveiled in time to take charge of the team this coming weekend in their league fixture against AVS. For supporters, this marks a historic moment. It has been 25 years since Mourinho last sat in the Benfica dugout. Back in 2000, a young Mourinho took over as head coach for a brief spell, showing glimpses of the tactical brilliance that would later define his career. His departure at that time, after a dispute with the board, paved the way for him to join União Leiria, where he continued to build his reputation.
It was at FC Porto, however, where Mourinho truly cemented his status as one of the most talented managers of his generation. His tactical innovations, motivational skills, and ability to foster a winning mentality led Porto to domestic dominance and culminated in the club’s stunning UEFA Champions League triumph in 2004. That success catapulted him to Chelsea, where he became known as the “Special One” and won multiple Premier League titles.
Mourinho’s managerial journey then took him across Europe’s elite clubs: Internazionale, with whom he won a historic treble including the Champions League in 2010; Real Madrid, where he claimed La Liga and built a fierce rivalry with Barcelona; a second spell at Chelsea, delivering another league title; followed by stints at Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AS Roma—where he won the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League—and most recently Fenerbahçe.
Now, at 62, Mourinho is at a crossroads. His return to Benfica offers not just a homecoming but also an opportunity to rebuild his legacy in Portuguese football. For Benfica, bringing in a coach of his stature is both a gamble and a statement of intent. The club hopes that Mourinho’s vast experience, tactical acumen, and winning mentality will transform a talented but underperforming squad into genuine contenders for both domestic and European honors.
The Portuguese football world is already buzzing with anticipation. Supporters are divided: some believe Mourinho’s charisma and pedigree are exactly what Benfica needs to challenge Sporting and Porto, while others question whether his pragmatic and often defensive style can thrive in a club whose fans demand attacking, dominant football.
One thing is certain: Mourinho’s return after a quarter of a century adds a dramatic twist to the narrative of Portuguese football. His presence on the touchline against AVS this weekend will mark the beginning of a new era at Benfica—one filled with high expectations, immense scrutiny, and the potential for glory or disappointment.
As Mourinho himself once said upon arriving in England, he is not one to shy away from pressure. For Benfica, that mentality might be precisely what is required to turn the tide.
Updated: 09:42, 17 Sep 2025
