Reports from Portugal have Jorge Jesus set to leave Flamengo and rejoin Benfica to take over the managerial role at the club for next season. In true Jesus fashion the report states that Jesus agreed to terms with Benfica without informing Flamengo of his interest in leaving the Brazilian side. Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira made Jesus one of his primary targets to take over at the club next season and is set to give Jesus a war chest of close to €100M to overhaul the current squads roster. One of Jesus's first moves is said to be bringing in three of his current Flamengo players in Bruno Henrique, Gerson and Leo Pereira (Read Here) as his Benfica project gets underway.
Jesus' Flamengo era was one of the more successful in club history with the Portuguese manager winning more titles (5) to total losses (4) in 56 games behind the helm of Flamengo. Jesus is set to depart Rio de Janeiro for Lisbon in the coming days and should be announced as the clubs new manager early next week.
Jesus is set to earn between €4M-€5M per year as part of his new three year contract and Benfica will pay Flamengo his release clause which is said to be in the €1M-€2M range. Jesus returns to a club which he lead to three league titles and ten total trophies during his six year reign from 2009 to 2015.
With Benfica's slim title hopes dashed after FC Porto defeated Sporting yesterday to clinch the Portuguese League, the Eagles can still end the season on a high by defeating the league Champions in the Taca de Portugal Final which will take place on August 1st in Coimbra. Benfica will be looking to earn their 30th Taca and make amends after a disappointing run of form cost the club a seven point lead that they held at the end of January. The Taca could see the end of many players careers with Benfica as President Luis Filipe Vieira looks to name a new manager for next season and completely remake the squad.
According to reports from TVI24, a move back to Benfica by Jorge Jesus could see a trio of current Flamengo players follow the former manager back to Portugal. Jesus remains Luis Filipe Vieira's first choice to manage the club next season with the Benfica President ready to spend on reinforcements to improve the club not only at home but on an international level as he looks to appease Jesus to make the move. TVI24 reports that central defender Leo Pereira, midfielder Gerson and winger Bruno Henrique are the three Flamengo players that would follow Jesus to Portugal if he elects to return back to Benfica.
