Jose Mourinho said he “didn’t hesitate” to express his interest in returning for a second spell as Benfica coach after arriving in Lisbon on Wednesday following the sacking of Bruno Lage.
Benfica fired Lage following Tuesday’s shock 3-2 Champions League home defeat by Azeri side Qarabag.
Mourinho, who lost his previous job with Fenerbahce last month, said Benfica reached out to him to gauge his interest in a return to the club with whom he started his head coaching career in 2000.
“Benfica officially asked me if I was interested… What coach says no to Benfica? Not me,” Mourinho told reporters after landing in the Portuguese capital.
“When I was presented with the opportunity to coach Benfica, I didn’t hesitate to say that I’m interested, that I’d like to.”
Two-time European champions Benfica led 2-0 early on at home to Qarabag before collapsing in a disastrous start to their league-phase campaign.
Former Portugal midfielder Rui Costa, the club’s president, announced ex-Wolves manager Lage’s sacking after the final whistle.
Benfica beat Fenerbahce in the final round of Champions League qualifying, two days before Mourinho was sacked by the Istanbul giants.