Jose Mourinho Back At Benfica! Ex-United Boss Agrees Deal To Return After 25 Years: Report

Last Updated:September 18, 2025, 15:33 IST

Jose Mourinho returns to Benfica as manager after 25 years, signing a two-year deal.

Jose Mourinho makes his way back to Benfica after 25 years (AFP)

The Special One has returned home.

Reports state that Jose Mourinho has agreed to join Benfica as their new manager, returning home after 25 years.

According to Sky Sports, the Portuguese coach has signed a two-year deal, just two days after the club parted ways with Bruno Lage.

Lage’s departure came only hours after Benfica’s stunning 3-2 home defeat to Qarabag in the Champions League, a result that sent shockwaves through Lisbon.

Mourinho’s Appointment

All three of Portugal’s major sports dailies had mentioned 62-year-old Mourinho as a possible successor, and it is now understood that the Portuguese will begin training with the Benfica squad today.

“Benfica officially asked me if I was interested. What coach says no to Benfica? Not me," Mourinho told reporters after landing in Lisbon, according to BBC Sport.

“When I was presented with the opportunity to coach Benfica, I didn’t hesitate to say that I was interested, that I’d like to."

Recent and Past Connections

Mourinho left Turkish side Fenerbahce in August, just two days after losing a Champions League playoff to Benfica. While he has yet to be formally announced to the public as Benfica’s new boss, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that official confirmation is expected within 24 hours.

The move back to Portugal represents a homecoming that has been in the making for more than two decades.

Mourinho began his coaching career at Benfica but resigned after just two and a half months. He later rose to prominence with their arch-rivals Porto, where he famously won the Champions League in 2004.

That triumph launched him onto the European stage, leading to hugely successful spells at Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid, before his fortunes began to dip following his appointment at Manchester United in 2016.

What Lies Ahead

If confirmed, Mourinho will face a daunting challenge in the Champions League group stage. Benfica are set to visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 30 September, while also preparing for clashes against Newcastle United and Real Madrid in the coming weeks.

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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News sports Jose Mourinho Back At Benfica! Ex-United Boss Agrees Deal To Return After 25 Years: Report

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