"Negotiations are underway to hire coach José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix, which are expected to be concluded soon," the Lisbon club's statement read.

The Portuguese coach had already confirmed on Wednesday, upon arrival at the Cascais Municipal Airfield in Tires, that he had been contacted by Benfica, hours after the club fired coach Bruno Lage.

"Who is the coach who would say no to Benfica? I don't [say no]," Mourinho said at the end of his conversation with journalists in Tires.

Mourinho had been named as the successor to Lage, who was fired after his home defeat in the Champions League debut against modest Qarabag (3-2), prompting Rui Costa to announce his departure in the early hours of Wednesday.

Mourinho, 62, who began his tenure as head coach in 2000/01 at Benfica, could return to the club after 25 years, with reports suggesting he has a contract until 2027.