Benfica Hire Mourinho, Sets Face-Offs with Chelsea and Porto on Return

José Mourinho has been appointed as the new head coach of Benfica, making his return to Portuguese football 21 years after departing for Chelsea from FC Porto.

The 62-year-old, who has managed elite clubs including Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur, was dismissed by Fenerbahce in August—ironically after Benfica eliminated them in the UEFA Champions League play-offs.

In a statement released Thursday, Benfica confirmed that Mourinho has signed a contract running through the 2026/27 season. However, either party may terminate the agreement at the end of the current campaign.

Benfica, twice European champions, let go of Bruno Lage earlier this week, following an unexpected Champions League defeat to the Azerbaijani underdog Qarabag.

Almost immediately, Mourinho will face high-stakes reunions: Benfica is set to meet his former club Chelsea in the Champions League on September 30, and then FC Porto in a Primeira Liga fixture on October 5.

Mourinho’s coaching career began as an assistant under Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal at Barcelona, before taking his first head coach role at Benfica in September 2000. Though that stint lasted just 11 matches, he quickly rose through the ranks at União de Leiria and Porto, where he won back-to-back league titles and the 2004 Champions League.

His career since has been glittering: trophies in England, Italy, Spain, but also some turbulence—especially more recent spells at Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and AS Roma, leading up to his most recent post at Fenerbahce.