Jorge Jesus says Benfica return was close in 2018/19 | OneFootball

Jorge Jesus has said he came close to returning to Benfica during his first spell at Al Hilal after talks with club president Luís Filipe Vieira.

"The Benfica president, Luís Filipe Vieira, phoned me to say he wanted me back in charge of the team," Jorge Jesus said, speaking to Record and recalling events in 2018/19.

"I liked the possibility of returning to Portugal and Benfica, but I explained I needed two or three weeks to sort my release from Al Hilal," the 71-year-old added.

"He accepted, he explained that Bruno Lage would be the interim until I could return." However, Lage later led Benfica to the league title, and the plan changed.

With that route closed, Jesus moved to Brazil and enjoyed a standout spell at Flamengo, then returned to Benfica in 2020, a stint that did not bring success.

He is now at Al Nassr and has been named the Saudi league’s coach of the month.

Source: Glorioso 1904