Jose Mourinho was officially introduced as Benfica’s new manager and returned to the club for more than two decades after his short initial stint. Portuguese coach, known for his achievements in Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Inter Milan, signed a contract with the side side based in Lisbon until the summer of 2027.
A 62 -year -old man launched his managerial career in Benfice in 2000, but contractual disputes reduced his first term after only three months. Over the next two decades, Mourinho won the Glory of the Champions League with Porto in 2004 and built an international reputation that led to points in Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United. Benfica moved to ensure her expertise after Bruno Lage’s departure after the defeat of the Champions League in Qarabag.
Mourinho’s arrival comes in the middle of the turbulent period for Benfica, which suffered a surprising departure from the early league of the Champions and is currently sitting in sixth place in Primeira League, five points behind Porto leaders with a game in hand. The contract, which takes place until the end of the 2026/27 season with the termination of ten days after the end of the campaign, refers to Mourinh’s twelve managerial role and a return in full circle to his native Portugal, a move that recently expressed a strong desire to do while still in his career.
At a press conference in Seixal Mourinho, he outlined his ambitions and determination to the club and his supporters. “My promise is: I’ll live for Benfica, live for my mission,” he said. “I’m not an important benfica, it is important, Benfica fans are important. I’m here to serve.” The words of the veteran manager reflect his intention to place the club and his supporters in the center of his new chapter.
Mourinho said that his decision to take over in Benfice came quickly after he left Fenerbahce four weeks ago, after the defeat of the playoffs of the Champions League in his new team. He explained about his decision and explained, “If you ask me if I expected to stay until the end of the season without coaching, it’s not in my nature. I didn’t want to say to a club that wasn’t the right one just because I was a workaholic.
He takes over from Bruno Lage and Mourinho returns to the competition he won twice as a manager, most recently with Inter Milan in 2010. His first match back seeing Benfica travels to the seventeenth place, because an experienced trainer is preparing for his latest challenge on familiar land.
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Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
September 18, 2025
