Jose Mourinho Returns to Portugal as Benfica Head Coach After 21 Years
Legendary Portuguese manager José Mourinho has officially returned to his homeland, taking charge of Benfica more than two decades after first managing the club. The 62-year-old coach was unveiled on Thursday at the Benfica Campus training center in Seixal, where he appeared alongside club president Rui Costa.
Mourinho, who was dismissed by Turkish side Fenerbahce in August after their Champions League playoff defeat to Benfica, has signed a contract running until the end of the 2026/27 season. However, both parties included a clause that allows the agreement to be terminated at the end of the current campaign if needed.
Benfica turned to Mourinho following their shock Champions League opening defeat to Qarabag, which led to the dismissal of Bruno Lage earlier this week. The Portuguese giants, who have won the European Cup twice, are banking on Mourinho’s experience to restore stability and ambition both domestically and in Europe.
The appointment means Mourinho will soon face familiar opposition. On September 30, Benfica are set to meet his former club Chelsea in the Champions League, followed by a highly anticipated clash against Porto in the Primeira Liga on October 5. These fixtures will test how quickly the coach can stamp his authority on the squad.
Mourinho’s managerial journey has been one of highs and lows. He first became Benfica’s head coach in September 2000, but resigned after just 11 games. His breakthrough came at Porto, where he delivered two league titles and famously lifted the 2004 UEFA Champions League trophy, a triumph that catapulted him into the global spotlight.
Over the years, Mourinho went on to manage some of the biggest clubs in football, including Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United, winning major titles in multiple countries. His spell at Inter remains one of his career highlights, with the Italian side securing a historic treble in 2010 under his leadership.
However, his later managerial stints at Tottenham, Roma, and most recently Fenerbahce were less decorated, leading some to question whether he could replicate his earlier success. Now back in Portugal, Mourinho has the opportunity to prove his enduring quality and to reconnect with the passionate fan base that first witnessed his rise to stardom.
For Benfica, the decision to appoint Mourinho is not just about footballing results but also about prestige. Having a manager of his caliber reflects the club’s determination to reassert itself as a European powerhouse. Whether Mourinho can deliver silverware and long-term stability remains to be seen, but his return has already reignited excitement across Portuguese football.
