Rui Faria is in the running to be named new Benfica manager after it was announced that he would be leaving Manchester United at the end of this season.
The Telegraph reports that Faria, Jose Mourinho’s long-time assistant manager, could be in line to take over at the two-time European champions for what would be his first role in senior management.
Benfica’s current manager and Faria’s namesake, Rui Vitoria, is reportedly in danger of being replaced this summer after finishing seven points behind Portuguese champions Porto.
Should Vitoria get the chop, Faria would be seriously considered for the vacancy at the club, having confirmed his intention to amicably end his 17-year association with Mourinho.
Mourinho has backed his long-serving number two to succeed in management and admitted that he hopes to one day face him in the dugout of a Premier League match.
“Maybe one day we are playing against each other in the Premier League,” Mourinho told MUTV.
“If that moment arrives, I will be a very proud guy because this man came to me when he was a kid 17 years ago. So, if that happens, I will be a very proud guy.”
While legendary midfielder Michael Carrick is set to join Mourinho’s coaching staff after hanging up his boots, he will not move directly into an assistant manager’s role as the United manager has admitted that he simply won’t have a traditional assistant for the coming campaign.
“I will organise my coaching staff in a way where the assistant manager figure doesn’t exist,” Mourinho said.
“I’m going to have assistant coaches, I’m going to have fitness coaches, and a structure where they have specialists in different areas connected to the performance. I’m not going to have an assistant managing in the sense of the word.”
