Mourinho Linked with Benfica Comeback After Champions League Loss

Jose Mourinho, the renowned Portuguese football manager, left Turkish club Fenerbahce last August and is currently without a team. Meanwhile, speculation has been mounting about a possible return to Benfica, the club where Mourinho began his managerial career in 2000. According to reports from ESPN, Benfica officials have already initiated contact with Mourinho, raising the possibility that he may soon resume coaching duties in Europe.

The interest in Mourinho comes after Benfica’s recent struggles in the Champions League. On Tuesday, the team suffered a 3-2 defeat against Qarabag, letting slip a two-goal lead at one stage. This loss ultimately led to the dismissal of Bruno Laje, Benfica’s head coach, leaving the club searching for a high-profile replacement. Mourinho has emerged as the frontrunner for the position, with sources confirming that he has shown interest in taking charge.

While discussions between Benfica and Mourinho are ongoing, no deal has been finalized yet. The 62-year-old has not returned to Portugal permanently since leaving FC Porto in 2004 to join Chelsea. However, his bond with Benfica remains strong, as this is the club where he started his journey in management, overseeing just ten matches before moving on to bigger roles. Over the years, Mourinho has risen to become one of the most successful and well-known managers in world football, with achievements spanning several top European clubs, including Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United.

The urgency to appoint a new coach has grown as Benfica prepares for a crucial Primeira Liga match against AVS on Saturday. The club is considering not only Mourinho but also Ruben Amorim, who is currently in a challenging situation at Manchester United. Amorim played for Benfica from 2008 to 2017, and a portion of the fanbase supports bringing him back to the team. This situation has placed the club’s leadership under pressure to make a swift but strategic decision.

Benfica president Rui Costa has emphasized the qualities they are seeking in the next coach. He stated, “The Benfica coach must have the mentality of a winner. Someone who will represent such a big club, who can take this team to the desired heights and bring us the title we deserve. No one has been appointed today, no one has been finalized for the future. But we are preparing to have a new coach on the bench on Saturday.” Costa’s remarks underscore the club’s desire to bring in a leader capable of delivering immediate results and long-term stability.

If Mourinho is confirmed as Benfica’s head coach, he will face several emotionally significant matches. One of the most notable will be a return to Stamford Bridge on September 30, where he will confront his former club Chelsea in a Champions League fixture. Soon after, on October 5, he will face FC Porto, a team closely tied to his early managerial success. Later in the season, on January 28, 2026, Mourinho will lead Benfica against Real Madrid, a club he also managed with considerable success. These matches will not only test his tactical acumen but also mark poignant moments in the career of one of football’s most celebrated managers.

In conclusion, Mourinho’s potential return to Benfica has generated excitement and anticipation among fans and football pundits alike. The combination of his historic connection with the club, his reputation for winning, and Benfica’s urgent need for leadership makes this one of the most intriguing managerial stories in European football this season. Whether he takes the reins or the club opts for another candidate like Ruben Amorim, Benfica is clearly aiming to restore its position as a dominant force in Portuguese and European football.