In a move that has sent ripples across the football world, Sport Lisboa e Benfica has officially confirmed the sensational return of José Mourinho as their new head coach. Twenty-five years after a notoriously brief and tumultuous first stint, “The Special One” is back in Lisbon, tasked with an ambitious mission: to reinvigorate a club left reeling from recent disappointments and reclaim its rightful place at the pinnacle of Portuguese and European football.
The announcement follows the swift departure of Bruno Lage, who was relieved of his duties in the wake of a disheartening Champions League loss to Qarabag. Benfica, a club synonymous with a rich history and a cabinet overflowing with domestic titles, found itself in a state of disarray. Enter Mourinho, the 62-year-old tactical maestro from Setúbal, whose career has been a rollercoaster of unparalleled success and dramatic exits.
A Contract with Clear Expectations
Mourinho, arguably the most decorated Portuguese coach in history with 26 major titles to his name, put pen to paper on a two-season deal, extending until the end of the 2026/27 campaign. A clause allows both parties to review the contract after the 2025/26 season, a pragmatic approach acknowledging the high-pressure environment that often surrounds the enigmatic manager.
“Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD (“Benfica SAD”) informs that it has reached an agreement with coach José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix for the celebration of a sports work contract to be in force until the end of the 2026/27 sports season. It is also informed that, 10 days after the last game of the 2025/26 sports season, under the same conditions, both Benfica SAD and the coach may choose not to continue the contract for the 2026/27 sports season,” read the official communiqué.
His mandate is clear: secure domestic silverware and, at a minimum, guide the Eagles to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages. The latter, however, presents an immediate, almost theatrical challenge. Benfica`s Champions League group boasts a formidable lineup, featuring titans like Chelsea, Newcastle, Ajax, and Juventus for away fixtures, and Real Madrid, Napoli, and Bayer Leverkusen for home encounters. One might wryly observe that if “The Special One” truly enjoys a challenge, he’s certainly found one here. Progressing from *that* group would be a special indeed.
The Unfinished Business: A Quarter-Century in the Making
For those with a penchant for footballing narratives, Mourinho`s return to Benfica is more than just a managerial appointment; it`s a circling back to the genesis of a legendary career. His very first senior coaching role was at Benfica in the 2000/01 season, a tenure that lasted a mere 11 games. It was a chaotic period, marred by club elections and a presidential change that saw his position undermined. He demanded stability and support; when it wasn`t guaranteed, he walked away, a decision that, in retrospect, launched him onto a path to global fame.
That initial departure, a blend of principle and ambition, saw him move to União de Leiria, then famously to FC Porto. It was there that the legend truly began: two national championships, a Portuguese Cup, a Super Cup, the UEFA Cup in 2003, and the crowning glory – the UEFA Champions League in 2004. He transformed Porto into a European powerhouse, a feat unmatched by a club outside Europe`s traditional “big five” leagues since.
A Journey of Trophies, Acclaim, and Occasional Turbulence
From Porto, the world beckoned. England`s Chelsea embraced him as “The Special One,” where he delivered three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and two League Cups across two spells. His European quest continued at Inter Milan, where he achieved the coveted treble – Serie A, Coppa Italia, and another Champions League – etching his name into Italian football folklore as “Il Speciale.”
Then came the fiery El Clásicos at Real Madrid, a period defined by intense rivalry with Pep Guardiola`s Barcelona, yielding a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, and a Supercopa. His subsequent stops included Manchester United, where he secured a Europa League, a League Cup, and the Community Shield. Later, a spell at Tottenham Hotspur. His most recent triumph, the UEFA Europa Conference League with AS Roma, made him the first coach to win all three current UEFA club competitions (Champions League, Europa League, Conference League).
Yet, even a career as glittering as Mourinho`s has its shadows. A series of high-profile dismissals across clubs and a decade since his last league title (with Chelsea) point to a more complex recent trajectory. His most recent role at Fenerbahçe lasted just a season and six games, ending, predictably, with another dismissal. The question now looms: is this the same “Special One” who departed Porto in 2004, or has the pragmatic strategist evolved into something else entirely? Benfica will be hoping for the former.
The Awakening Awaits
Mourinho now faces the daunting task of “awakening” a Benfica squad he did not assemble. He steps into a club yearning for past glories, and the weight of expectation in Lisbon is immense. His return is not merely a coaching change; it is a declaration of intent, a gamble on a proven winner to reignite a sleeping giant.
Can José Mourinho, the man who began his senior coaching journey at Benfica with such brevity, now complete his narrative arc with lasting success? Only time, and perhaps a few more dramatic press conferences, will tell if “The Special One” can once again turn potential into trophies and bring happiness back to the Estádio da Luz. The stage is set for an enthralling new chapter in Portuguese football.
