“I’m Here To Serve”: Jose Mourinho Returns As Benfica Head Coach

‎Jose Mourinho has officially rejoined Benfica, returning to the Estádio da Luz to succeed Bruno Lage, who was dismissed following Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Qarabağ.

‎The Portuguese coach, now 62, is back at the Lisbon giants 25 years after leaving the club.

‎Mourinho had been without a club since his dismissal by Fenerbahçe following their elimination from the Champions League by Benfica.

‎He has now signed a contract lasting until the end of the 2026/27 season, Benfica announced, with an option for either side to terminate the agreement at the end of the current campaign.

‎”My promise is I will live for Benfica, live for my mission,” Mourinho told reporters at the club’s training ground in Seixal, near Lisbon.

‎”I’m the coach of one of the biggest clubs in the world… I’m not important, Benfica is important, Benfica fans are important. I’m here to serve.

‎”I feel a huge responsibility, but I feel more alive than ever. I want to win competitions… My desire is to fulfil my two-year contract successfully.”

‎His debut on the Benfica bench comes this Saturday against AFS in the sixth round of the Liga Portugal, where Benfica occupies fourth place with 10 points, five behind FC Porto, but with one game in hand.

‎Curiously, Mourinho’s first European match in charge of Benfica will be against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the venue where he first rose to global prominence.

‎Joining Benfica marks a return to the club where he began his head-coaching career. He took over from Jupp Heynckes in 2000, but he managed only 11 games in charge.

‎In that stint, he managed six wins, three draws, and two defeats. The highlight was the last match in which he emphatically beat Sporting in the derby.

‎José has managed some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Chelsea, Benfica, Fenerbahce, Porto, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Roma.

‎His career is widely regarded as one of the most successful in club football history.

‎He has lifted major trophies across multiple countries, including league titles in England, Spain, and Portugal, as well as two Champions League crowns, the Europa League, and the Conference League.