Benfica have appointed Jose Mourinho as their manager on a deal until the summer of 2027, marking his return to the club where he had a brief spell back in 2000.
The 62-year-old wasted little time in finding his next challenge after being dismissed by Fenerbahce just last month. His tenure in Turkey lasted a little over a year and ended in controversy after he publicly criticised the club’s board over transfer dealings ahead of a crucial Champions League play-off against — ironically — Benfica.
Now, just three weeks later, Mourinho finds himself on the other side of that rivalry. He steps into the Benfica dugout to replace Bruno Lage, who was sacked in the aftermath of a stunning Champions League defeat at home to Qarabag of Azerbaijan.
Mourinho’s first training session with his new squad is set for Thursday, and his early fixtures couldn’t be much tougher. Benfica face a trip to Stamford Bridge on September 30, where Mourinho will go head-to-head with former club Chelsea in the Champions League.
Mourinho’s return to Benfica brings his career full circle. After first making his name at Porto, where he lifted the UEFA Cup in 2003 and the Champions League in 2004, he became one of the most decorated managers of his generation.
He guided Chelsea to three Premier League titles across two stints, delivered a historic treble at Inter Milan in 2010, and added European silverware with Manchester United in 2017. At Roma, he ended the club’s long trophy drought by winning the Conference League in 2022.
Not every stop has been smooth — his Tottenham spell ended days before a domestic cup final, and his latest adventure in Turkey ended abruptly — but Mourinho’s reputation as one of football’s most captivating figures remains intact.
Benfica fans will hope Mourinho can bring his trademark winning mentality and tactical edge back to the Estádio da Luz. His return not only adds a layer of intrigue to Portuguese football but also sets up some fascinating clashes on the European stage.
For Mourinho, this is more than just another job. It’s a chance to return to his roots, rewrite a brief chapter of unfinished business, and prove — once again — that the “Special One” still has plenty to give.
