Ange Postecoglou's opening game in charge of Al-Nassr ended in embarrassment after the Saudi champions were beaten by Benfica's B team in a behind-closed-doors friendly in Lisbon. The result offered an early test for the Australian coach as he begins building his squad for the new campaign, with Cristiano Ronaldo missing the pre-season opener.
Benfica have completed the signing of Jhon Duran from Al-Nassr on a season-long loan, with the financial details of the deal now confirmed. The former Aston Villa striker has outlined his ambitions after sealing a return to European football, but how much will the Portuguese giants actually pay?
Jhon Duran is on the verge of returning to European football as Benfica close in on a loan agreement with Al-Nassr for the Colombian international. The 22-year-old forward has struggled to settle in Saudi Arabia following his expensive transfer from Aston Villa, prompting all parties to facilitate a move ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Benfica have made Joao Palhinha their top midfield target after Tottenham decided not to trigger their option to sign him permanently from Bayern Munich. Marco Silva is keen to reunite with the Portugal international, while the club is assessing whether the deal is financially feasible.
José Mourinho has joked, during an exclusive appearance on the Beast Mode On Podcast, that he considers an ‘Invincibles’ campaign with Benfica in 2025-26 to be his ninth league title. No silverware was secured in Lisbon at the end of an unbeaten season, but the newly-appointed Real Madrid manager is rightly proud of an achievement that few clubs at the highest level can claim to have emulated.
New Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho joins Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On Podcast as he exclusively discusses his sensational return to the Liga giants, the World Cup and whether England can finally end 60 years of hurt, and some of the joyous, and panful, experiences he's had in management to date. Mourinho also chats openly about his time at Tottenham, and the controversial nature of his sacking just days before the League Cup final, among many other intriguing topics in a must-see episode of the award-winning podcast.
Erik ten Hag has publicly confirmed his desire to bring free agent Wout Weghorst to FC Twente ahead of the upcoming Eredivisie campaign. However, the Enschede outfit face stiff continental competition for the veteran striker, with Portuguese heavyweights Benfica positioning themselves to lure the former Manchester United loanee to Lisbon.
Rui Costa has revealed that Jose Mourinho's departure from Benfica was effectively decided before the Real Madrid presidential election outcome was known. The Benfica president said Mourinho had been transparent about Los Blancos' interest and confirmed a mutual agreement would have seen the coach leave even if Florentino Perez had not won the vote.
Jose Mourinho is flying to Spain this Wednesday afternoon to complete his return to Real Madrid on a three-year contract. The former Chelsea manager plans to head straight to the training ground to begin work immediately, opting to skip any formal press conference or welcoming ceremony until his new contract officially begins in the Spanish capital this July.
Jose Mourinho has taken to social media to pen a heartfelt goodbye to Benfica fans, players, and staff as he prepares to seal a blockbuster return to Real Madrid. The legendary Portuguese coach spent a single, productive season back at the Estadio da Luz, but the lure of a second stint in the Spanish capital has proved impossible to turn down.
Benfica have officially ushered in a new era at the Estadio da Luz by confirming Marco Silva has agreed to become their new head coach. The former Fulham boss arrives in Lisbon just as the legendary Jose Mourinho departs the club to secure a sensational return to Real Madrid.
Jose Mourinho is reportedly on the brink of an emotional return to Real Madrid following Florentino Perez re-election as club president, but the Portuguese tactician isn't heading back to the Spanish capital for a mere nostalgia trip. The 'Special One' is driven by a singular goal that escaped him during his first three-year stint at the helm of the world's most successful club.
Benfica have confirmed that Real Madrid have registered their firm interest in appointing Jose Mourinho as their new head coach. The Portuguese giants revealed that the approach is tied to the upcoming presidential elections at the Bernabeu.
Jose Mourinho has sensationally escalated his dispute with Turkish football authorities by filing a formal complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The Portuguese tactician, who is widely expected to return to the Real Madrid dugout following the club's upcoming presidential elections, alleges that his fundamental rights were breached during a controversial stint at Fenerbahce.
Jose Mourinho has found himself at the centre of a major controversy after appearing in a video released by Florentino Perez's re-election campaign at Real Madrid. Benfica reacted angrily to the footage, but 'The Special One' reportedly insisted he never recorded it, claiming the images were generated using artificial intelligence.
Marco Silva is officially leaving Fulham this summer, paving the way for a sensational switch to Benfica. The Portuguese manager departs after five successful seasons to succeed Jose Mourinho. With the 'Special One' heading back to crisis-hit Real Madrid, Silva prepares to take over in Lisbon despite receiving a lucrative £8 million-a-year offer to remain at Craven Cottage.
Fulham manager Marco Silva is on the verge of leaving Craven Cottage to join Benfica as the direct successor to Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese tactician is close to an agreement with the Lisbon heavyweights, who have launched a lucrative raid on the Premier League to secure their prime managerial target ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Real Madrid's pursuit of Jose Mourinho has become significantly more expensive after a key release clause in his Benfica contract expired. The Spanish giants had the opportunity to secure the Portuguese coach for around €6 million, but administrative delays linked to the club's presidential election mean the final cost could now rise to €15m.
Jose Mourinho is already drawing up a ruthless recruitment plan as he prepares to take the reins at Real Madrid for a second time. The Portuguese tactician has reportedly identified four key areas of the squad that require immediate investment to end the club's two-year trophy drought, informing the club hierarchy that any title charge must begin with upgrades at centre-back, right-back, left-back, and across the midfield.
Jose Mourinho has signed a three-year contract to make a sensational return as the head coach of Real Madrid until June 2029. The 63-year-old Portuguese tactician, who previously managed the Spanish giants between 2010 and 2013, was secured by club president Florentino Perez to revive the team following a second successive trophyless campaign.
Fulham manager Marco Silva is on the verge of leaving the Premier League side to take over at Benfica. The Portuguese tactician has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to succeed Jose Mourinho, despite Fulham offering him a significantly more lucrative contract to stay at Craven Cottage. Silva's imminent departure marks the end of a successful spell in London.
Former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet has backed the club's decision to appoint Xabi Alonso instead of pursuing a sensational return for Jose Mourinho. Despite Alonso's recent struggles in La Liga, Poyet believes the Spaniard's modern tactical approach and a lack of European football at Stamford Bridge will create the perfect environment for him to build a new identity.
Jose Mourinho has reached an agreement to return to Real Madrid on a three-year contract, but the move has been complicated by a significant financial development. While 'the Special One' is set for a sensational second stint at the Bernabeu, the timing of the deal has seen his release clause more than double.
Jose Mourinho is widely expected to be the next man in the Real Madrid dugout, but fans at the Bernabeu are still waiting for the official confirmation of his return. While a verbal agreement is reportedly in place, several institutional and financial hurdles have pushed the announcement back for the Special One's return.
Marash Kumbulla has opened up on his time working under Jose Mourinho at Roma, revealing the defensive “smart” tricks he learned from the Portuguese coach. The defender also explained how Mourinho’s mood changed dramatically after defeats, while recalling the support he received during a serious injury lay-off.
Jose Mourinho is on the verge of a sensational return to the Real Madrid dugout after years away from the Spanish capital. The Portuguese tactician has emerged as the chosen one to lead a new era at the Santiago Bernabeu as Los Blancos have paid Mourinho's release clause at Benfica to facilitate his sensational return 13 years after leaving.
Benfica
