It is a return that already makes a lot of noise in Portugal. Born in Setubal, less than 40 km from Lisbon, José Mourinho officially returns to the Portuguese capital, 21 years after leaving the country. After passages to Chelsea, Inter Milan or Real Madrid, the Portuguese tactician returns to Benfica Lisbon.
The 62 -year -old coach has just signed a contract until 2027 with the most successful football club in Portugal. It is an event because the MOU returns to the country after 21 years far from its roots, but also because it signs, almost 25 years to day later, in the club of its beginnings as a coach. With only 11 games led at the time, this time he hoped to be long-term.
It is in any case the hope of the one who won almost everything in his career. Because if this return arouses a lot of curiosity, it also creates doubts in Portugal. Mourinho made the headlines of the whole sports press and part of the daily press. The daily Jornal de Noticias also writes that this new challenge “could be an ideal opportunity […] to prove that he is still fighting for titles ”, he who seems to be losing speed for a few years
A reputation to find
Winner of 26 titles in 4 different countries and the 3 existing European cups, the former midfielder has built a reputation as a winner over the years. However, since his double UEFA Super Cup – League Cup with Manchester United in 2017, Mourinho won only one trophy, a conference league in 2022 with Roma.
The LisBotian club has won a single champion title since the 2018-2019 financial year and will know its 7th coach over the period. A chronic instability therefore, and sporting sports results with the shadow of FC Porto which hovers over a Benfica which clings to its status as a most successful club in the country.
And among the supporters of the LisBotic team, it is difficult to know what to expect from Mourinho. For Théo, supporter of the club since his 4 years, this appointment is “quite strange”. But the fan does not stop at this first impression, still believing in the skills of the tactician: “that would not shock me that he manages to bring the club back to the top and I hope he will get there”.
An opinion rather shared by the Portuguese community as a whole. For Mario Vasconcelos, president of Benfica Yerres (Essonne) “everyone is happy that he returns” among the supporters of his club. The former coach even thinks that with his “charisma”, the Portuguese tactician “will succeed” but that he “will have to work”.
Honor baroud or real recovery?
While Mourinho arrives in Benfica at just over a month in the presidential election, his position should not be threatened regardless of the results. The various candidates agree so that a continuity in the sports project exists.
What give the tactician a little time to know his team, in which he “must use the potentials to do beautiful things” according to Théo. An opinion shared by President Vasconcelos who thinks that “Mourinho will be able to make the most of the players at his disposal”.
The double winner of the Champions League seems in any case ready to invest in the project which immediately seduced it. At the time of his return to Portugal, following his fireing from Fenerbahçe, the technician was immediately questioned by the press, even recognizing: “What coach closes the door to Benfica?” Not me ”.
A flattering statement for the reds, but which was preceded by a very evocative formula: “I thought I came back to train the national team. “If the” Special One “has never hidden his desire to take the head of Selectionthe realization of this dream seems to be moving away more and more.
Especially since, by chance of the calendar, Mourinho will cross several of his former clubs in the Champions League. Starting with Chelsea on September 30, which he will face at Stamford Bridge, before finding Real Madrid at home on January 28. The opportunity to review old acquaintances one last time to shine before stopping, or finally become the coach he was.
Worth a look
