José Mourinho Returns to Benfica: A Champions League Journey Awaits

José Mourinho is back in action. The legendary manager has been appointed as Benfica`s new head coach, signing a two-year deal until the summer of 2027. The Portuguese tactician was dismissed by Fenerbahçe at the end of August after the Turkish team was eliminated by Benfica in a two-legged playoff. Mourinho, who will turn 63 next year, returns to where his coaching career officially began: in 2000, he managed the Portuguese giants for only nine matches before stepping down following a change in club presidency. This marked his very first role as a first-team manager. After coaching teams like Real Madrid, Porto, Inter, Chelsea, and AS Roma, Mourinho chose to join Fenerbahçe in 2024, but then failed to qualify for this season`s Champions League group stage. This disappointment led both parties to terminate their working relationship after just one season.

Speaking to the media on Thursday during his official presentation, Mourinho stated: “It`s been 25 years, but I`m not here to celebrate my career. These 25 years have given me the opportunity to work for the biggest clubs in the world. As a representative of Benfica fans, I want to tell you that none of the clubs I`ve had the chance to coach have motivated me more than being Benfica`s coach. My promise is clear: I will live for Benfica, for my mission. It`s a tremendous honor.”

Benfica suffered a 3-2 defeat in their opening Champions League match against Qarabag at home. This disappointing loss proved decisive, leading the club to opt for a managerial change and appoint the Portuguese coach after dismissing Bruno Lage. Mourinho now faces an exciting Champions League schedule: Benfica will play Chelsea away in the second matchday of the group stage, marking his return to Stamford Bridge, where he managed from 2004 to 2007 and then from 2013 to 2015. Mourinho will also be back coaching in the Champions League main tournament (excluding playoffs) for the first time since the 2019-20 season, when his Tottenham side was knocked out by RB Leipzig in the round of 16 in March 2020.

Following the Chelsea match, Benfica will face Newcastle away, Bayer Leverkusen at home, and then Ajax away, before encountering three teams closely tied to Mourinho`s past as a manager. On December 10, Benfica will play Antonio Conte`s Napoli – a manager Mourinho has clashed with many times over the years while coaching in the Premier League. Later, they will face Juventus in Turin, a stadium where he has had multiple tensions with home fans since his stint with Inter, and subsequently during his returns with both Manchester United and Roma. Finally, he will meet Real Madrid, one of his former teams, in the last and likely pivotal match of the group stage in Lisbon. Mourinho is back, and expectations are already incredibly high.

José Mourinho`s Managerial Career