Jose Mourinho has agreed a two-year deal to return as head coach of Benfica, 25 years after his first spell at the Portuguese giants.
The 62-year-old, sacked by Fenerbahce just three weeks ago, will take charge of his first training session on Thursday.
Mourinho replaces Bruno Lage, who was dismissed following Benfica’s shock 3-2 Champions League defeat at home to Qarabag of Azerbaijan.
It is a poetic homecoming for Mourinho. His very first managerial job came at Benfica in 2000, though he lasted just 10 games before leaving due to presidential changes at the club.
Now, a quarter of a century later, he returns to lead a side in crisis but still rich in tradition and ambition.
From Fenerbahce Exit to Benfica Where it all Began
Mourinho’s quick return to management comes after a turbulent end to his time in Turkey.
His former side, Fenerbahce, were eliminated from the Champions League play-offs by none other than Benfica, prompting his public criticism of the board for failing to back him in the transfer market.
He was sacked shortly after.
Now, irony has brought him back to Lisbon, in charge of the very team that knocked him out of Europe.
Presidential Elections & Mourinho’s Appointment
Benfica president Rui Costa said the club needed a “winner” to steady the ship and deliver trophies:
“The Benfica coach’s profile must be that of a winner.”
“A coach representing a club of this size must be one with the ability to bring this team to the levels we demand and give us the titles we desire.”
The appointment also comes weeks before Benfica’s presidential elections, with Mourinho’s name already linked to the campaigns.
Back in 2000, it was politics at board level that cut short his first stint. This time, his return is tied to a promise of stability and ambition.
Big Reunions Ahead
Mourinho’s comeback will be filled with emotional reunions.
Benfica travel to Stamford Bridge on September 30 to face Chelsea, the club where Mourinho became “The Special One” in 2004, winning multiple Premier League titles.
In October, Benfica meet Porto, where Jose Mourinho famously won the 2004 Champions League. And in January 2026, he will cross paths with Real Madrid, another of his former clubs, in Lisbon.
Benfica also travel to Newcastle in December, a poignant tie given Mourinho’s long association with Sir Bobby Robson, who nearly brought him to St James’ Park two decades ago.
Jose Mourinho Timeline: 2000–2025
2000 – Benfica (First Stint)
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Takes first managerial job at Benfica in September.
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Resigns in December after just 10 games due to club presidential changes.
2001–2002 – União de Leiria
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Moves to mid-table Portuguese side União de Leiria.
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Impresses with strong league performances.
2002–2004 – Porto
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Takes charge at Porto.
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Wins Primeira Liga (2003, 2004), UEFA Cup (2003), and the Champions League (2004).
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Gains international recognition as one of football’s brightest coaches.
2004–2007 – Chelsea (First Spell)
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Appointed Chelsea boss, famously calling himself “The Special One.”
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Wins back-to-back Premier League titles (2005, 2006) and League Cups.
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Leaves in September 2007 after tensions with Roman Abramovich.
2008–2010 – Inter Milan
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Wins two Serie A titles.
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Clinches the historic treble in 2010: Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Champions League.
2010–2013 – Real Madrid
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Beats Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona to win La Liga (2012) with a record 100 points.
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Also wins Copa del Rey (2011).
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Leaves amid dressing room tensions in 2013.
2013–2015 – Chelsea (Second Spell)
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Returns to Stamford Bridge.
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Wins Premier League (2015) and League Cup.
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Sacked in December 2015 after poor results.
2016–2018 – Manchester United
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Wins Europa League (2017), League Cup, and Community Shield.
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Leaves in December 2018 with criticism over defensive football.
2019–2021 – Tottenham Hotspur
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Replaces Mauricio Pochettino.
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Reaches League Cup final (2021) but is sacked days before the match.
2021–2023 – Roma
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Wins the inaugural Europa Conference League (2022).
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Leaves in 2023 after mixed Serie A results.
2024–2025 – Fenerbahce
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Takes charge in summer 2024.
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Sacked in August 2025 after Champions League elimination by Benfica and disputes with board.
2025 – Benfica (Second Stint)
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Returns to Benfica, 25 years after his first spell.
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Signs a two-year deal to replace Bruno Lage following Benfica’s Champions League defeat to Qarabag.
The Challenge Ahead for Jose Mourinho
Benfica are currently sixth in the Primeira Liga, five points behind leaders Porto, but with a game in hand. Their last league title came in 2022/23.
Mourinho’s immediate task will be to lift spirits before Saturday’s league clash against AVS, before shifting focus to Europe where Benfica’s path features Chelsea, Newcastle, and Real Madrid in the group stage.
It feels like destiny for “The Special One”, from a 10-game stint at Benfica in 2000 to Champions League glory with Porto in 2004, and now back at the club where it all began.
Mourinho’s Glittering CV
Since leaving Benfica in 2000, Mourinho has built one of the most decorated managerial careers in football:
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Porto (2002–04): 6 trophies, including the 2004 Champions League.
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Chelsea (2004–07, 2013–15): 3 Premier League titles (2005, 2006, 2015).
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Inter Milan (2008–10): Treble winner, including 2010 Champions League.
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Real Madrid (2010–13): La Liga title, Copa del Rey.
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Manchester United (2016–18): Europa League & League Cup.
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Roma (2021–23): Europa Conference League winner in 2022.
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Fenerbahce (2024–25): Short spell ended after boardroom disagreements.
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