Article by Romeo Ene – published Wednesday, September 17, 2025 21:58 / Updated Wednesday, September 17, 2025 21:59
In the statements offered to journalists at the airport, he did not confirm that the agreement is concluded, but he did not hide his interest in returning to the “vultures” bench, 25 years after his debut as head coach, even Estadio da Luz.
Only the official announcement is missing! Mourinho will train Benfica Lisbon
“Before climbing the plane, I was asked if I could be interested in training Benfica. And I said yes. Benfica, officially, asked me if I was willing to do that.
I said that I am abroad and that when I return to Portugal, I will be delighted to discuss, “said the coach, already with a scarf on the shoulders.
“When I was asked about the opportunity to train Benfica, I didn't think: I'm interested,” said the Portuguese coach.
Everything is prepared for Jose Mourinho to return to Benficăi's bank, exactly 25 years after his debut as the head coach at the helm of the “vultures”, but the technician wanted to emphasize that this moment “is not a celebration of the career”.
Regarding Bruno Lage, Mourinho said he understands the situation and feelings that his countrymen pass.
“I think there is no coach who does not go frustrated and do not think that things could have flowed differently. I look at him with immense respect and solidarity, because I went through the same thing. And not long ago.
What I said about him a month and a half ago I repeat: he is an excellent coach, who had a group of important players I congratulated.
And you know that I'm not just a big example of Fair-play. To congratulate them, to tell them that they won the best and that they deserved Victoria was not an easy thing, ”said Mourinho.
I respect him and I wish Bruno's good career. He knows, especially since I spoke, that my return to Portugal, which was not scheduled, would be a natural consequence, to train the national.
If he materializes with Benfica … who is the coach who says no Benfică? I don't.
– Jose Mourinhothe new coach of Benficăi
Mourinho reacted after the statements of Fenerbahce's president
Asked about the statements of Fenerbahce's president, Ali Koç, who described Mourinho's possible move to Benfica as a “strange coincidence”, the Portuguese technician did not hesitate to react.
“Every time I left the teams I trained, I closed a chapter and I did not answer the challenges, I did not seek excuses, I did not blame anyone.
He has a different way of acting. Spoke countless times but did not explain why the player who eliminated us [Aktürkoglu] It was bought only after he took us out of the competition, ”added Mourinho.
