Portuguese football legend Jose Mourinho has been officially appointed as the new head coach of Benfica, marking a historic homecoming 21 years after he first left the club’s rivals, Porto, for Chelsea.
The 62-year-old tactician, who has managed football giants including Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Roma, signed a deal that runs until the end of the 2026/27 season, with an option for either side to terminate at the close of the current campaign.
Mourinho’s appointment follows the sacking of Bruno Lage, who was dismissed after Benfica’s shock defeat to Azerbaijani underdogs Qarabag in the Champions League opener. The setback forced the club’s hierarchy into swift action, turning to Mourinho’s wealth of experience to steady the ship.
The announcement comes barely a month after Mourinho’s dismissal from Fenerbahce, a team Benfica knocked out in the Champions League play-offs. Now, the Portuguese manager faces an immediate challenge with high-stakes fixtures ahead, including a Champions League clash against Chelsea on September 30 and a Primeira Liga showdown with Porto on October 5.
Mourinho began his head coaching career at Benfica in September 2000, resigning after just 11 matches. He later found remarkable success at Porto, where he lifted back-to-back league titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2004, a triumph that catapulted him into international acclaim.
Despite glittering spells at Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid, his career trajectory dipped in later years, with mixed outcomes at Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, and most recently Fenerbahce.
For Benfica, however, Mourinho’s return signals both nostalgia and renewed ambition, as the club looks to reclaim European relevance under one of the most decorated and charismatic coaches of modern football.
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