Portuguese powerhouse Benfica welcomes back Jose Mourinho as their new head coach, marking the iconic manager's return to his native land.
In a dramatic turn of events, José Mourinho has returned to Benfica as their manager, following the sacking of Bruno Lage after a shock defeat in the Champions League opener against Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag. Mourinho's appointment, announced on a Thursday, comes shortly before he leads Benfica to their first Champions League game against AVS on Saturday in the top flight.
Mourinho's career in football management has been nothing short of illustrious, with a string of impressive achievements to his name. He guided Porto to back-to-back league titles and the Champions League crown in 2004, a feat that cemented his status as a formidable coach. Mourinho repeated this success with Inter Milan in 2010 and won three Premier League titles across two spells at Chelsea. He also clinched a La Liga title with Real Madrid.
However, Mourinho believes that his career has been negatively perceived due to his recent European final appearances in the last five years. He has stated his intention to change this narrative and live for Benfica and his mission.
Mourinho's first game at Benfica will mark a reunion against former side AVS, whom they defeated in the Champions League play-offs, leading to his sacking from Turkish side Fenerbahce. This return will also see him face reunions against former sides Chelsea and Porto in the Champions League and Primeira Liga respectively in September and October.
Mourinho has expressed a strong sense of honor, responsibility, and motivation in coaching Benfica. He feels more 'mature' now than when he previously coached the club. Despite the challenges ahead, Mourinho believes his team has the quality to win the title.
José Mourinho has signed a contract with Benfica to coach until the end of the 2026/27 season. The contract includes an option for either party to terminate the deal at the end of the current season. Since 2017, Mourinho's only silverware was the Europa League with Manchester United in 2017 and the Conference League with Roma in 2022. Benfica's last triumph was in 2023, while their rivals Sporting Lisbon have won the last two titles.
Mourinho's coaching career began as an assistant to Bobby Robson and then Louis van Gaal at Barcelona. He has since coached Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, and Fenerbahce, making his return to Benfica a significant milestone in his career. With his wealth of experience and unwavering determination, Mourinho is poised to lead Benfica to new heights.
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