Jose Mourinho gets 'best of luck' wish from sacked Benfica predecessor as Bruno Lage blames 'internal and external constraints' after Champions League exit

Benfica announced the sacking of Lage with immediate effect on Tuesday after the Portuguese heavyweights slumped to a shock 3-2 defeat to Azerbaijani side Qarabag FK in the Champions League. It was the first-ever win for Qarabag in the competition, while it extended Benfica's winless streak at home to six games in the competition. In the aftermath of Lage's dismissal, Mourinho has been speculated to become the next Benfica manager.   

Mourinho was relieved of his duties at Turkish giants Fenerbahce last month, after the Portuguese head coach failed to guide his team in securing qualification for the Champions League 'league phase'. Coincidentally, Fenerbahce lost 1-0 to aggregate to Benfica, with Lage overseeing the passage to the league phase. Now, FabrizioRomano has already reported that the Eagles are eyeing the former Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter, and Manchester United boss to take over the reins at the Estadio da Luz. Mourinho is open to joining Benfica as he is keen on an immediate return to coaching.  

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning, Lage said: "The most important thing is that I wish Benfica all the best. That’s what we tried to do upon returning — that was the spirit in which we worked hard from the start of the season, with a completely different squad... But unfortunately, certain constraints, both internal and external, didn’t allow us to do better.

"I wish the best of luck to the man who comes next. I don’t know if the news is true, whether it’s Mr. Mourinho or not. What matters is that it’s someone who knows Benfica very well. He played against this team three times, praised the squad often, said I was happy — and he’ll be even happier with [Heorhiy] Sudakov and Dodi [Lukebakio] coming in.

"They always followed my instructions. I feel fulfilled. I wish Benfica well — the club did a lot for me and for my career, projected me in a way I never imagined, and gave me the financial stability to provide for my family."  

Surprisingly, Mourinho's first-ever job as head coach came at Benfica. Indeed, in September 2000, he was appointed as the manager of the club, but Mourinho stepped down just 11 games into his tenure after a contract dispute with then-president Manuel Vilarinho. If he joins Benfica, he can be expected to be on the touchlines for the league encounter against 17th-placed AVS on Saturday.