José Mourinho’s Return to Coaching
José Mourinho marked an impressive comeback to coaching in Portugal this weekend, leading Benfica to a decisive 3-0 victory against AVS in his first match since returning to the club he began his illustrious career with 25 years ago. Announced as Benfica’s head coach just two days earlier, Mourinho took the helm after the dismissal of Bruno Lage, who was let go following a disappointing Champions League loss to Qarabag.
Match Highlights
This win has positioned Benfica in second place in the Portuguese league, trailing leaders FC Porto by five points, while they still have a game in hand to close the gap. After the game, Mourinho reflected on the passage of time since he first started coaching, emphasizing that despite the years, his core values and passion for the sport remain unchanged.
“I came to coach a big club, I came to coach a giant,”
he expressed, sharing that throughout his career, he has worked with numerous prestigious clubs including Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Manchester United, but regards Benfica as a giant in its own right in terms of its social significance.
The match saw Heorhii Sudakov score first just before halftime, followed by goals from Vangelis Palvidis and Franjo Ivanovic to solidify the win. On a troubled note, AVS found themselves at the bottom of the league following this defeat.
Mourinho’s Legacy and Future
Mourinho’s relationship with Benfica is significant; the 62-year-old has an impressive history, having led FC Porto to a Champions League title in 2004 before moving to Chelsea and enjoying other successful tenures across Europe. His brief stint at Fenerbahce came to an end last month when Benfica eliminated them from the Champions League qualifying round. Mourinho’s contract with Benfica runs until the end of the 2026-27 season, although there is an option for non-renewal after this first season.
“I always thought I would come back to Portugal, but I imagined it would be with the national team. But here I am, back with Benfica, which I recognize as a giant club.”
His commitment to the club emphasizes both his passion for football and his acknowledgment of Benfica’s stature in the sport.
