José Mourinho has completed a remarkable circle in his illustrious career, returning to Benfica as head coach exactly 25 years after beginning his managerial journey at the Portuguese giants in September 2000.
The “Special One” signed a contract until 2027, marking his emotional homecoming to the club where his coaching legacy first began.
The José Mourinho return comes just three weeks after his controversial departure from Fenerbahçe, where he was dismissed following their Champions League qualification defeat to none other than Benfica.
The irony wasn’t lost on football observers – Mourinho now coaches the very team that cost him his previous job. His appointment followed Bruno Lage’s dismissal after Benfica’s shock 3-2 home loss to Qarabag in their Champions League opener.
This Benfica homecoming represents more than just another managerial appointment for the 62-year-old Portuguese tactician. During his brief 11-game stint in 2000, Mourinho won six matches, drew three, and lost only two before departing due to a contract dispute.
The experience at Benfica proved crucial in shaping his future success, setting him on the path that would see him conquer Europe with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid over the subsequent 25 years later in football.
However, Mourinho’s return hasn’t been without controversy. Following his appointment, he made headlines with his Mourinho cultural level comment, stating about his Fenerbahçe experience: “I made the wrong choice; I made a mistake going to Fenerbahçe… it wasn’t my cultural level, it wasn’t my football level, it wasn’t my level”.
The Mourinho vs Fenerbahçe sacking occurred after the Turkish club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, with president Ali Koç describing it as a “painful dismissal” necessary for “better football”.
Coincidentally, as Mourinho embarked on his Portuguese homecoming, the sports world witnessed another high-profile disqualification when wrestler Aman disqualified world championship after being found 1.7kg overweight at the World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb.
The Paris Olympics bronze medallist’s shocking exit from the competition drew parallels to unexpected setbacks in elite sport, much like Mourinho’s abrupt Fenerbahçe departure.Mourinho’s Benfica return promises to reignite Portuguese football, with upcoming Champions League fixtures against his former clubs Chelsea and Real Madrid adding extra intrigue to his second chapter at the Stadium of Light.
