In the summer, Jose Mourinho was strongly touted with a move to Leeds United. Doubts over Daniel Farke’s ability to keep Leeds in the Premier League have reignited those links.
During his Fenerbahce tenure, Mourinho was even quoted as saying he would like to join a Premier League club that are not fighting for trophies. To mastermind a climb up the league with a lesser side.
Following promotion and winning the Championship title, it is believed The 49ers considered replacing Daniel Farke. Leeds even approached Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Davide Ancelotti and Roger Schmidt.
Mourinho was also said to be tempted by Leeds, while still in the Fenerbahce job. But Richard Keys says Mourinho turned Paraag Marathe down, and that is why The Whites opted to remain with boss Farke.
Jose Mourinho has picked his next club after Fenerbahce exit
Failure to qualify for the Champions League group stage saw Mourinho decide to leave Fenerbahce after a year in the role. Italian gaffer Domenico Tedesco has replaced him, after leaving the Belgium post.
TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook suggested Mourinho could join West Ham or Leeds last week. But after Benfica suffered defeat to Qarabag in the Champions League, the Portuguese side have sacked boss Bruno Lage.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Benfica have moved quickly and approached Mourinho as a replacement for former Wolves boss Lage. A deal to take the former Porto manager to Benfica is expected shortly.
“Benfica are in advanced talks with José Mourinho after Bruno Lage got sacked. Understand Mourinho has opened doors to Benfica, he wants to return to coaching immediately. Could be sealed soon.”
Jose Mourinho’s incredible career in numbers ahead of Benfica
Many associate Mourinho with Porto when it comes to Portuguese football, but the ‘Special One’ actually began his managerial career with Benfica. He won six of 11 games but left after a contractual dispute.
| Club | Spell | Games | W-D-L | PPG | Honours |
| Benfica | 2000 | 11 | 6-3-2 | 1.90 | N/A |
| Uniao De Leiria | 2001-02 | 23 | 12-8-3 | 1.91 | N/A |
| Porto | 2002-04 | 127 | 91-21-15 | 2.31 | 2 x Leagues 2 x Cups 1 x Champions League 1 x UEFA Cup |
| Chelsea | 2004-07 | 185 | 124-40-21 | 2.23 | 2 x Leagues 1 x FA Cup 2 x League Cups 1 x Community Shield |
| Inter Milan | 2008-10 | 108 | 67-26-15 | 2.10 | 2 x Leagues 2 x Cups 1x Champions League |
| Real Madrid | 2010-13 | 178 | 128-28-22 | 2.31 | 1 x League 2 x Cups |
| Chelsea | 2013-15 | 136 | 80-29-27 | 1.98 | 1 x League 1 x League Cup |
| Man United | 2016-18 | 144 | 84-32-28 | 1.97 | 1 x Europa League 1 x League Cup 1 x Community Shield |
| Tottenham | 2019-21 | 86 | 44-19-23 | 1.76 | N/A |
| Roma | 2021-24 | 138 | 68-31-39 | 1.70 | 1 x Conference League |
| Fenerbahce | 2024-25 | 62 | 37-14-11 | 2.02 | N/A |
| Total: | 1195 | 738-250-207 | 2.02 | 8 x Leagues 2 x Champions Leagues 2 x UEFA Cup/Europa League 1 x Conference League 13 x Domestic Cups |
A move to Uniao De Leiria came next and 12 wins in 23 earned his move to Porto. The rest is history. The Portuguese manager has coached Chelsea, Man United, Tottenham, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Roma.
His time in Turkey was impressive, without winning the league. But now, he returns to where it all started at Benfica, as he looks to get their Champions League and Liga NOS campaign back on track.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
