Jose Mourinho is close to a return to management with Benfica, replacing Bruno Lage who was sacked after the Champions League defeat against Qarabag.

The Portuguese club threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against their Azerbaijani opponents at Estadio da Luz on Tuesday.

Benfica president Rui Costa said they intend to have a new manager in place by Saturday, but would not be drawn on speculation that Mourinho is their preferred option.

SPONSOR AD

According to BBC Sport, Mourinho is in talks about to returning to work in Portugal, 21 years after he left for Chelsea.

Mourinho was sacked by Fenerbahce on 29 August, two days after the Turkish club were eliminated from the Champions League play-offs by Benfica.