62-year-old Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, has officially been named as the new head coach of SL Benfica, 25 years after his first stint at the Lisbon club. He replaces Bruno Lage, who was dismissed following Benfica’s shock defeat to Qarabag in the Champions League.
Mourinho returns to the Estadio da Luz on a contract running until the end of the 2026/27 season, with either party holding the option to part ways at the end of the current campaign.
“My promise is I will live for Benfica, live for my mission,” Mourinho said during his unveiling at the club’s training ground in Seixal.
“I’m not important. Benfica is important. Benfica fans are important. I’m here to serve.”
Benfica currently sit fourth in Liga Portugal, five points behind leaders FC Porto but with a game in hand. Mourinho’s first match in charge comes this Saturday against AFS in round six of the domestic league.
His first European fixture in charge of the Eagles? A return to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, the club where Mourinho rose to global prominence two decades ago.
Mourinho’s managerial career started at Benfica back in 2000, where he replaced Jupp Heynckes. Despite a promising start, six wins, three draws and two defeats in 11 matches, he left the club after a short tenure, reportedly due to a dispute with club leadership.
Since then, Mourinho has gone on to manage some of the biggest clubs in Europe: Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, and most recently Fenerbahce, where he was dismissed earlier this summer.
Jose Mourinho’s managerial career is one of the most decorated in football history. He has won two UEFA Champions League titles, with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010, as well as league championships in Portugal, England, Italy, and Spain.
His trophy haul also includes the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, multiple domestic cups across Europe, and more than 25 major honours in total, making him one of the most successful and influential coaches of his generation.
