SAM Allardyce could be on his way back into management with Portuguese giants Benfica.

Reports in Lisbon last night tipped the former Wanderers manager as a possible successor to Jose Antonio Camacho, who quit last month.

Manchester City manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, who has twice managed the Eagles and whose future at Eastlands has been thrown into doubt by owner Thaksin Shinawatra, has also been touted as a target, along with current Chelsea manager, Avram Grant, and the Sampdoria coach Walter Mazzarri also in the frame, according to the Portuguese media.

Fernando Chalana is currently in charge at the Stadium of Light but the Benfica hierarchy are keen to appoint a foreign head coach for next season.

Allardyce, who quit Wanderers a year ago after seven and a half years at the Reebok, has been out of management since leaving Newcastle in January.