Mou back at Benfica after 25 years to restore glory

José Mourinho is set to return to Benfica a quarter of a century after his first brief spell in charge, RTP reported yesterday. The 62-year-old will succeed Bruno Lage and sign a contract until the end of the season, marking his comeback to Portuguese football 21 years after leaving FC Porto.

Benfica president Rui Costa made the move with just over a month to go before the club’s presidential elections, hoping the veteran coach can revive results after a damaging week.

Benfica dismissed Lage following Tuesday night’s Champions League loss at home to Qarabag (yesterday, Macau time), in which the Lisbon giants let slip a two-goal advantage in front of their supporters to a loss (2-3). The defeat, combined with a frustrating 1-1 draw against 10-man Santa Clara in the domestic league on Friday, convinced Rui Costa it was time for change.

“We’ve reached an agreement with Bruno Lage and he is not our coach anymore,” Costa said after announcing the decision. “We feel it’s time for a change. It was a tough week for all Benfica fans after the games against Santa Clara and Qarabag. We are not out of any competition yet, but we feel it’s time to change,” he said as quoted by AP.

Costa said the new coach would be in place for Saturday’s league match in Vila das Aves. By yesterday, Portuguese media had already identified Mourinho as the chosen successor, with sources confirming an initial agreement had been reached. His recent stint at Turkish side Fenerbahce ended last month when the club was eliminated by Benfica in the Champions League qualifying playoffs.

For Mourinho (also known as Mou), the return is rich in symbolism.

His coaching career began at Benfica in 2000, but it lasted just three months before a contract dispute with the board led to his departure. Four years later, he was hoisting the Champions League trophy with Porto, Benfica’s fiercest rival. His European triumph with the Dragons propelled him to Chelsea and a career across Europe’s biggest clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Roma.

With Inter, Mourinho achieved his second Champions League crown in 2010. More recently, he guided Roma to the inaugural UEFA Conference League title in 2022, the club’s first European trophy. But his three years in the Italian capital were marred by clashes with players and management, themes that resurfaced during his short-lived and chaotic spell in Istanbul.

Despite his pedigree, Mourinho has not managed in the main stage of the Champions League for six seasons. Benfica’s gamble is that his aura, tactical nous, and emotional connection with Portuguese football can stabilize a team wobbling at a crucial moment.

Rui Costa, himself a club legend, is betting on Mourinho’s return to galvanize the fan base and steady results before Benfica faces its domestic and European challenges head-on. The move also comes with political undertones: success under Mourinho could strengthen Costa’s hand ahead of the looming presidential vote.

Mourinho’s return to the Estádio da Luz will now be watched as one of European football’s most intriguing storylines. Whether the man once dubbed the “Special One” can reignite Benfica’s fortunes remains to be seen – but for supporters, the anticipation is undeniable. Paulo Coutinho