Lisbon, Portugal (AP) – Benfica fired manager Bruno Raj after his team was defeated by Calabag in the Champions League on Tuesday, and Jose Mourinho was quickly promoted as the top candidate for him.
Benfica president Louis Costa has announced his decision to say goodbye to Rage after a league-stage defeat in which Benfica wasted a two-goal lead in front of fans.
Costa recently cited poor results for the club. Benfica was off the unfortunate 1-1 home draw against 10 Santa Clara in the Portuguese League on Friday.
“We’ve reached an agreement with Bruno Reige, but he’s not our coach anymore,” Costa said. “We feel that it’s a time for change. It’s been a tough week for all Benfica fans after the match against Santa Clara and Qarabag. We haven’t left the competition yet, but it’s time for change.”
Costa said he expected to announce a new coach in time for the team’s league match at Vila Das Aves on Saturday.
Do you want to enter Mourinho?
Portuguese media said Mourinho is planning to take over the club. His time with Fenerbafe It ended last month after the Turkish club was eliminated by Benfica in the Champions League qualifying playoffs.
Mourinho won the Champions League in 2004 with Benfica’s main rival Porto. He also won the top European club competition with Inter Milan in 2010.
However, Mourinho has not coached the main stage of the six seasons of marquee competition. He won the third tier conference league with Rome in 2022, but his time at the Italian club from 2021 to 24 was marked by a contest that resurfaced with his short, chaotic spell in Turkey.
Mourinho began his coaching career at Benfica, but in 2000 he only lasted for three months, but then entered into a contract dispute with the board of directors.
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