According to reports from television channel SportTV in Portugal, ex-SL Benfica manager Bruno Lage is close to taking over the managerial position at Aston Villa.
Sport TV’s source claims negotiations between the manager and the Midlands club are at an “advanced” stage. Dean Smith is currently at the helm at Villa Park and today guaranteed their Premier League status for another year following a draw with West Ham United.
Back in October of 2018, Aston Villa were interested in Lage who was then the manager of SL Benfica’s B side but the club ultimately went in another direction and Lage’s next career move was then to become manager of the Benfica senior side. Whilst in charge at the Luz, he won the Primeira Liga title, giving opportunity to youth talents such as João Félix, Gedson Fernandes and Florentino Luís in the process. This season however was a disaster, Benfica and Lage had become somewhat of a stale and predictable side and Lage left the club after capitulating in the title race, FC Porto went on to be champions.
Follow @ProximaJornada1 on Twitter for up-to-date news on this situation as it happens.
