Jose Mourinho confirmed as Benfica boss in two-year deal
Jose Mourinho has been confirmed as the new Benfica boss, agreeing a two-year deal with the Portuguese giants.
Mourinho, 62, has been a free agent since being sacked by Fenerbahce last month following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
The Portuguese’s availability had triggered a wave of speculation over his next destination, but reports earlier this week strongly linked him with Benfica after they sacked former Wolves boss Bruno Lage.
Benfica confirmed the appointment on Thursday in a statement to the country’s Securities Market Commission, revealing they had reached an agreement with Mourinho to sign ‘a sports employment contract to be valid until the end of the 2026-27 sports season’.
The club added that both parties will have the option to end the contract 10 days after the final official game of the 2025-26 season under the same conditions.
It marks a high-profile return for Mourinho, who took charge of Benfica for 10 matches in 2000 before leaving amid boardroom changes and joining Uniao de Leiria.
It marks a high-profile return for Mourinho, who took charge of Benfica for 10 matches in 2000 before leaving amid boardroom changes and joining Uniao de Leiria.
He went on to win the Champions League with Porto, two Premier League titles in his first stint at Chelsea and further trophies with Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Roma before his most recent spell at Fenerbahce.
Mourinho was pictured arriving in Portugal on Wednesday evening with a Benfica scarf draped over his shoulders by supporters and fielded questions from the media.
Asked about the possibility of taking the job, he said: ‘Before I got on the plane, they asked me if I might be interested. I said yes, I might be interested.
‘Benfica officially asked me if I would be interested and said that when I returned to Portugal, I would be happy to speak with people.
‘If I return to Benfica, it won’t be a career celebration, nor 25 years later, nor a return home. When I was faced with the possibility of coaching Benfica, I didn’t think twice about it, saying, ‘I’m interested, I’d like it’.’
Mourinho’s return to Benfica has added intrigue given the Portuguese side face Chelsea in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge later this month.
His appointment comes at a time when Benfica are looking to recover from a shock Champions League defeat by Qarabag and stabilise under new leadership.
Rui Costa, the club president, said earlier this week: ‘We have reached an agreement with Bruno Lage to step down as Benfica’s coach. I thank him for everything he’s done for our club, but we believe it’s time for a change.
‘The Benfica coach must be a winner. He must be a coach who represents a club of this size and has the ability to bring this team to the required levels.’
Benfica currently sit sixth in the Portuguese top flight, five points off leaders Porto, and host Vila das Aves this weekend with Mourinho set to take charge.
Source: Dailymail
