Bruno Lage could return, ex-Benfica boss linked with promoted club | OneFootball

Bruno Lage could be on the verge of returning to management after several months without coaching any team. The former Benfica manager is in advanced talks with Al Diriyah, a club that recently secured promotion to the top division in Saudi Arabia.

The 50-year-old coach has been unattached since September 2024, when he left Benfica. Since then, his name has been linked with several projects, having been mentioned in recent weeks as a possible option for Turkey’s Besiktas.

Now, according to journalist Marc Mechenoua, the most likely scenario is a move to Asia, where Al Diriyah are looking to strengthen their coaching structure to face the challenges of their debut season in the top tier of Saudi football. Talks between the two parties are progressing positively, and an agreement could be reached soon.

This would not be Bruno Lage’s first experience in the Middle East. Before establishing himself in European football, the coach worked in the United Arab Emirates, where he managed Al Ahli’s under-19 and B teams, gaining knowledge of the region’s footballing landscape.

It should be remembered that Bruno Lage - who recently spoke about his time at the Luz - began the season in charge of Benfica and won the Super Cup against Sporting, ultimately securing the Eagles’ only trophy in 2025/26. However, the defeat to Qarabag in the league phase of the Champions League led to his departure from the dugout.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.