'I didn't think twice' - Jose Mourinho hits back at 'grieving' Benfica predecessor as ex-Man Utd & Real Madrid coach explains how Portugal return happened

Mourinho is close to finalising a deal with Benfica to become the team's new head coach, less than 48 hours after Bruno Lage was dismissed following a shock 3-2 loss to Azerbaijani side Qarabag FK. Per Portuguese outlet A Bola, Mourinho arrived at Lisbon's Tires Aerodrome Airport on Wednesday to complete the negotiations with Benfica.

After his sacking, Lage spoke to reporters on Wednesday morning and had a few words for Mourinho. "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," Lage said. "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."

In a twist of fate, Mourinho will succeed Lage at Benfica, after the former was sacked by Fenerbahce three weeks ago for losing the Champions League qualification playoffs to the Lisbon-based giants. 

"Before boarding the plane, they asked me if I might be interested in [coaching Benfica]," Mourinho told media after landing in Lisbon on Wednesday. "And I said yes, I might be interested. Benfica officially asked me if I might be interested. I said I was abroad and that when I returned to Portugal, I'd be happy to speak with people.

"When I was faced with the possibility of coaching Benfica, I didn't think twice: I'm interested."

The former Chelsea, Man Utd, Inter, and Real Madrid manager also had words of empathy towards Lage. "He needs to do what we all do — grieve. I don't think there's a coach who doesn't leave frustrated and thinking things could have turned out differently," Mourinho claimed. 

"I look at him with immense respect and solidarity, because I went through the same thing. And not long ago. What I said about him a month and a half ago, I repeat — he's a great coach who had a group of important players whom I congratulated. And they know I'm not exactly a great example of fair play. Congratulating them, telling them that the best won and deserved to win, wasn't easy."

According to Fabrizio Romano, Mourinho has already verbally agreed a two-year deal until 2027 with Benfica, with formal steps set to follow soon. It is expected that he will take charge of the team for the game against AVS on Saturday.