S.L. Benfica are already looking ahead to life without José Mourinho, with the Portuguese giants drawing up a managerial shortlist as his move to Real Madrid edges closer to completion.
According to Diario AS, citing Record, Benfica’s management is seriously considering Xavi Hernández as the new head coach of the team following the anticipated departure of José Mourinho.
The exit of Mourinho from Lisbon is seen as inevitable, with Real Madrid making every effort to lure him away. The Special One is set to return to the Santiago Bernabéu for a second spell, 13 years after his first tenure, leaving Benfica with a significant vacancy to fill at the Estádio da Luz.
Xavi, 46, has been without a club since departing Barcelona in 2024. During his time at the Blaugrana, he managed 143 matches, winning 91, drawing 23, and suffering 29 defeats — a record that includes a La Liga title in the 2022/23 season. The Spaniard has been linked with several high-profile roles in recent months, including Chelsea and the Morocco national team, but remains available.
According to Record, Xavi, Andoni Iraola, and Thiago Motta have emerged as contenders for the Benfica head coach job. Marco Silva has also been mentioned in connection with the role.
Alongside Xavi, former Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim is also in the running, though given that Amorim previously coached Sporting, the option of joining rivals Benfica might not appeal to him.
Benfica finished second in the Primeira Liga this season under Mourinho and will be eager to move swiftly to appoint a successor capable of mounting a title challenge and competing in Europe next term.