Mourinho Returns to Benfica as Coach, 21 Years After Departure for Chelsea
Jose Mourinho Returns to Portuguese Football with Benfica Deal
Jose Mourinho has agreed to a deal to become the head coach of Benfica, marking his return to Portuguese football after a two-decade absence. The Portuguese manager's tenure with Benfica will run through the 2026/27 season, bringing immediate confrontations with his coaching past, specifically with Chelsea and Porto.
Mourinho's previous stint with Porto ended in 2004, and these clubs played a crucial role in his early rise to international prominence. His move to Benfica comes after his departure from Fenerbahce, where his coaching career after leaving Porto has been decorated but also marked by periods of volatility.
The deal between Mourinho and Benfica includes an option for either party to terminate the arrangement at the end of the current campaign. This clause mirrors the one in his contract with Fenerbahce, which ended recently.
Mourinho's hiring by Benfica follows the dismissal of Bruno Lage, which occurred after a Champions League defeat to Qarabag. His return to Portuguese football signifies a move back to familiar territory after a period in Turkey.
The significance of Mourinho's return to Portuguese football is not lost on Benfica fans, as it was his former club Fenerbahce that eliminated Benfica from Champions League qualifying in August. Mourinho will face Chelsea in Champions League action on Sep. 30, and a Portuguese league clash with Porto on October 5.
Throughout his career, Mourinho has been known for his successes at clubs like Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Roma, as well as his periods of volatility. Some reports suggest that he has a history of humiliating Turkish football during his time at Fenerbahce.
However, Mourinho's return to Benfica offers a chance for him to reclaim his success in Portuguese football and prove that he is still one of the best managers in the game. Only time will tell if his tenure with Benfica will be marked by success or more periods of volatility.
