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Jose Mourinho has revealed his true colors in the lead-up to his potential appointment as Benfica's new head coach.
The former Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham manager was dismissed by Fenerbahce at the end of last month, merely two days after the Turkish team was eliminated from the Champions League playoffs by Benfica. The Portuguese team secured a goalless stalemate with the Turkish side at the Chobani Stadium before claiming a narrow 1-0 triumph in Lisbon.
Despite guiding Benfica into Europe's premier competition, Bruno Lage was dismissed shortly following the team's inaugural league phase fixture. On Tuesday, Benfica suffered a defeat to Qarabag at home.
The Portuguese team surrendered a two-goal advantage, with Oleksiy Kashchuk propelling the Azerbaijani champion into the lead during the closing moments.
Lage received his marching orders the subsequent day, with the Benfica president confirming his intention to secure a new manager by Saturday.
Addressing the media, Rui Costa declared: "A Benfica coach's profile must be that of a winner.
"A coach representing a club of this size must be one with the ability to bring this team to the levels we demand and give us the titles we desire. There's no point in talking about names here. No coach has been appointed, nor has any coach been mentioned to represent Benfica in the future."
Mourinho has been linked with a much-anticipated return to Benfica, and it appears he's on the verge of signing. The 62-year-old coach briefly managed Benfica in 2000.
On Wednesday, Mourinho was swarmed by journalists at Tires Aerodrome – an airport just outside Lisbon.
Although Mourinho remained tight-lipped, he didn't conceal his interest in the open position. As reported by Portuguese outlet A Bola, the 62-year-old, donning a Benfica scarf, stated: "Before boarding the plane, they asked me if I might be interested.
"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."
Mourino then sent a message to his predecessor: "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. 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."
Mourinho further commented: "Congratulating them, telling them that the best won and deserved to win, wasn't easy. He knows Benfica very well, he played against this team three times, he often praised the squad, he said I was happy, he will be even more so with Sudakov and Dodi [Lukebakio] arriving."
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