Ruben Amorim’s return to management could be made possible thanks to manager Jose Mourinho, who is expected to be offered his dream job after this summer’s World Cup.
Ruben Amorim could replace Jose Mourinho at Benfica in the summer (Image: Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho will reportedly be offered the post of Portugal national team coach after Roberto Martinez steps down after the World Cup. Mourinho is currently in charge of Benfica but has previously revealed he would like to manage his country, opening the door for the 63-year-old to take on a new high-profile role.
Martínez is preparing to lead Portugal at the World Cup, which begins on June 11 in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Like many international managers, including England manager Thomas Tuchel, his contract expires at the end of the tournament.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is therefore making plans for the future and reportedly has Mourinho as the frontrunner to replace Martínez. Mourinho signed a two-year contract when he joined Benfica in September after leaving Fenerbahçe, but according to ESPN, the FPF will try to make his first international coaching bid in the summer.
That possibility would open up a role at Benfica for Ruben Amorim, who was sacked by United in early January and is currently unemployed. Although Amorim’s reputation has fallen into disrepair in the Premier League, he is still highly regarded in his home country and given his success with Sporting Lisbon and the fact that he spent nine years as a player, he would be Benfica’s top choice if they were to lose Mourinho.
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Mourinho has been at the top level of club management for more than 20 years, managing Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahce and Benfica. However, he has not yet had any experience in international management and has revealed that he will only consider international management with Portugal.
In January last year, while at Fenerbahce, he told Corriere dello Sport in an interview: “I want to participate in the European Championship and the World Cup and unite the country around the team, as I have done many times before with each club.” “I want to do it for football and what this sport stands for. It would be incredible.”
And in reference to the Brazil job that was eventually given to Carlo Ancelotti, he said: “My destiny as an international player is to play in the World Cup with the Portuguese national team. I never thought of becoming the manager of the Brazilian national team.”
Jose Mourinho was appointed to Benfica earlier this season (Image: Getty Images)
“My first experience has to be in Portugal and then people have to understand that I am a professional and can coach other teams, but always teams that have something to do with me.
“Brazil, of course, because of the historical relationship between the two countries, and England because it’s my home country, Italy, so I worked there for a few years, but my first experience with the national team has to be mine.”
Benfica currently sit third in the Portuguese top flight, seven points behind leaders Porto and three points behind Sporting. After a dramatic 4-2 victory over Los Blancos in the final group stage match last month, they will now face Real Madrid in a two-legged play-off for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
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