Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly turned down an offer from Benfica to take over as their new boss.

Mourinho had been linked with a quick return to management in his homeland following his December departure from Old Trafford, with Portuguese giants Benfica on the lookout for a successor to the sacked Rui Faria.

Faria left the Estadio da Luz last Thursday following a three-and-a-half-year stay, with the club sitting fourth in the Primeira Liga table and seven points off leaders Porto.

However, Benfica's attempts to land Mourinho on a short-term deal until the end of the season were quickly refused by the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss, according to Portuguese outlet Record.

Mourinho - who began his managerial career with a short stint at Benfica - is currently thought to have no plans to make a swift return to the dugout.

Benfica are now expected to target Vitoria Guimaraes boss Luis Castro, who is understood to have been on Reading's radar before the appointment of Jose Gomes.