Mourinho: 'I am not an option for Benfica'
Out-of-work manager Jose Mourinho temporarily hushed rumors that he will make a rapid return to football to oversee Benfica, saying he hasn't had any contact with the club.
Rui Vitoria left the two-time European champions by mutual consent last Thursday, sparking speculation that Mourinho would return to his homeland to assume the post after being sacked by Manchester United in December.
"I haven't received an offer and even if I did, obviously the president of Benfica and the club itself would be the first to know my decision," Mourinho told Lisbon-based Correo da Manha, as translated by Reuters on Thursday.
"(But) I think I can say that today, I don't have any intention of coming back to work in Portugal. I am fine at the moment. Today, I am not an option for Benfica, nothing more than that."
Mourinho's managerial career began with a short-term stint at Benfica in 2000 before he handled fellow Portuguese sides Uniao de Leiria and FC Porto. The latter spell earned him a job at Chelsea after he led Porto to various successes, including two Primeira Liga titles and silverware in the UEFA Cup and the Champions League.
He collected further honors with clubs in England, Italy, and Spain, but left his last three roles - with Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester United - under a cloud following suggestions of frayed relationships with directors and players.
He hasn't yet offered information about his final days with Manchester United, but reportedly recently pocketed a £15-million payout from the Red Devils.
"I have learned that, when you leave a club, you don't go around talking about it, you don't wash your dirty laundry in public. The chapter is finished and you don't go around making criticism," he said.
"The other thing I have learned is to respect the clubs who want me and those who don't want me."
Mourinho actually returned to work on Thursday, with beIN SPORTS revealing he will be providing expert analysis for the broadcaster on Qatar's Asian Cup scuffle with Saudi Arabia on Jan. 17, and for the Premier League meeting between Arsenal and Chelsea two days later.