A quarter of a century after bidding farewell to José Mourinho, Benfica appears poised to welcome the ‘Special One’ back, betting that the magic which once illuminated Porto and dazzled Europe can now be revived in Lisbon’s red.
Few remember that before Porto celebrated him, Mourinho’s first managerial role was at Benfica in 2000, during a tumultuous three-month stint that ended with fans chanting his name as he departed. Now, at 62, the prodigal son is set to return to Lisbon, as reported by Portuguese TV station RTP on Wednesday, following a disappointing 3-2 home defeat against Azerbaijani side Qarabag, who came back from a two-goal deficit to claim victory.
Ironically, Benfica eliminated Mourinho’s former employers Fenerbahce from Europe barely a fortnight before the Turks dismissed him. Mourinho’s achievements are well known.
The Portuguese, born in the coastal town of Setúbal, half an hour’s drive from Lisbon, is widely regarded as one of the best coaches of his generation. He has won league titles in four countries and is one of six managers to lift the European Cup with two clubs, as well as the only coach to win all three current UEFA club competitions.
His brief tenure as Benfica manager in 2000 was dramatic yet pivotal, marking the beginning of a legacy that has kept the club’s fans dreaming for over two decades. Hired in September that year to replace Jupp Heynckes following a dismal start to the season, Mourinho arrived at a club in political turmoil with presidential elections looming and a fractured dressing room. Working alongside assistant Carlos Mozer, a former Benfica and Brazil great, Mourinho managed to block out the distractions and transformed the struggling squad, culminating in a stunning 3-0 victory over heavily favoured local rivals Sporting, which left fans jubilant.
