Oliveira joins Benfica

Oliveira's predecessor Mourinho may now replace Inacio at Sporting

Benfica have appopinted Antonio 'Toni' Oliveira as their new manager and he will succeed Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho resigned on Tuesday and Oliveira returns to the famous Portuguese club he led to their last league title in 1994.

At the press conference to announce Mourinho's departure on Tuesday, police were forced to restrain a group of around 50 Benfica protesting fans.

Benfica's management said in a statement on the matter that it had refused to give in to the "blackmail" of Mourinho, who wanted to extend his contract by a year to keep him in his post until the end of the season.

Former Barcelona coach Mourinho is reported to be in line for the managerial post at another Portuguese club in Sporting Lisbon.

Lisbon's now former coach Augusto Inacio, who led the club to their first title in 18 years last season, left them on Tuesday after a poor run of form.

That included his final game last weekend when Benfica defeated Lisbon 3-0 in the capital's derby.