The Portuguese team has just fired coach Bruno Lage after a 2-3 defeat to Qarabag in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho is still a free agent after being sacked by Fenerbahce in August.
"Benfica officially asked me if I was interested, and I replied that I was overseas, wanting to talk directly to the board when I returned.
When I had the opportunity to be coach of Benfica, I didn't think much, in the sense that I was very excited" - he shared.
The 62-year-old had a relationship with Benfica when he started his coaching career here in 2000, despite only being involved in only 10 matches before saying goodbye.
Benfica aims to appoint a new coach soon to prepare for the match against AVS this weekend. In addition to Mourinho, the capital city team Lisbon is also said to be considering Ruben Amorim - the current coach of Manchester United, who played for Benfica in the period 2008-2017.
This could be a reunion after more than 20 years, since Mourinho left Portugal in 2004 to lead Chelsea after a successful period with Porto.
President Rui Costa stressed that the criteria for selecting a new Benfica coach must be a "winner" of stature enough to lead the club to conquer big goals.
He also denied that Benfica had a specific choice: "Here is no appointed coach today, nor has anyone been mentioned to represent Benfica in the future.
But of course, we are preparing for a new coach to take charge on Saturday."
Mourinho will return to Stamford Bridge on September 30 when Benfica face Chelsea in the Champions League, before traveling to Porto on October 5 in the domestic league.
Not stopping there, Mourinho also has the opportunity to reunite with Real Madrid when Benfica welcomes the Royal team on January 28 in the Champions League.
In addition, Benfica will also enter the presidential election on October 25.
