The Lisbon club are holding presidential elections later this month and 51-year-old businessman Quaresma wants to bring the Swede back to the Stadium of Light after previous spells from 1982 to 1984 and from 1989 to 1992.

"I am going to win and then Eriksson will be my coach. He would be returning to a place where he has some great friends," Quaresma said.

Benfica are currently managed by Fernando Santos.

They are seventh in the domestic league with one point to show from their first two Champions League group matches.

Eriksson quit as England boss after the World Cup, but is still being paid by the Football Association.

He was reported to be involved in talks with the US Soccer Federation about taking the vacant post as USA coach.