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Can Jose Mourinho rekindle his magic one last time at Benfica?

Can Jose Mourinho rekindle his magic one last time at Benfica?

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September 23, 2000 – 25 years to the day – Benfica lost 1-0 to Boavista. The away side would go on to win a maiden Portuguese title that season, but that isn’t why this result is notable.

By Ross Kilvington

That game was José Mourinho’s first ever competitive match in the dugout after making strides at Porto and Barcelona, first as a translator and then assistant manager, under his mentor, Sir Bobby Robson.

At first glance, that explosive 11-game stint at the Eagles didn’t exactly herald the new messiah. Indeed, he won just five matches before stepping down in December 2000, believing that new president, Manuel Vilarinho, wanted another coach.

A quarter of a century on, Mourinho has a chance to right the wrongs after returning to manage Benfica, signing a two-year contract with his first club. 

Is this his last chance to sprinkle that old Mourinho magic as he approaches the Indian summer of his career? Or will his second stint spell end as acrimoniously as his first?

With the ‘Special One’, you just never know what you are going to get.

Benfica need a winner in charge

Bruno Lage was sacked following Benfica’s failure to beat Qarabağ in the Champions League. They currently sit second in the top flight, already five points behind Porto, although the club do have a game in hand.

President Rui Costa stated in the aftermath of the decision that a “Benfica coach’s profile must be that of a winner”.

Enter Mourinho. Appointed last Thursday, he had just two days to prepare for a clash against AVS Futebol SAD and everything went to plan in what turned out to be a straightforward 3-0 victory.

Goals from Vangelis Pavlidis, Georgiy Sudakov and Franjo Ivanović – three of Benfica’s attacking quartet – ensured it was a positive homecoming for the 62-year-old.

This win also meant Mourinho extended his run of winning his first competitive game in charge of a new side. You have to go back to 2010, when his Real Madrid side drew 0-0 against Mallorca for the last time he failed to secure victory.

With six league titles, two Champions League trophies and a plethora of domestic cup successes, Mourino undoubtedly has the profile of a “winner” that Costa dearly wanted.

Now, he must build on his first victory by steering Benfica to their first domestic title since the 2022/23 campaign.

Why Mourinho and Benfica could be a perfect match

Mourinho’s league win ratio in his last role at Fenerbahce was 71.1%, which was the third-highest of his career to date. It proved that he still had the nous to coach at the highest level, despite the fact he hasn’t won a league title since 2015.

Mourinho’s recent career history expressed as win percentages (includes all competitions)

Of course, there have been a few trophies since. With Manchester United, Mourinho won the EFL Cup and Europa League. in 2022, he guided AS Roma to the inaugural edition of the Conference League, becoming the first manger to win Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League and European Conference League trophies.

Porto, who he managed between 2002-2004, currently lead the way in the Liga Portugal after six games, but there is no doubt that Benfica have a squad that can challenge for the title.

Against AVS, Mourinho lined up with a 4-2-3-1 system which worked extremely well. Pavlidis led the line superbly, notching his fourth goal of the season, while the likes of Ivanović, Sudakov and Fredrik Aursnes offered plenty of support.

While this system certainly appeared aggressive and attacking against the bottom side in the top flight, Mourinho’s traditional pragmatism will likely come into play over the next few weeks.

At the heart of his defence, veteran Nicolás Otamendi and young sensation Antonio Silva have the basis to form a magnificent partnership for the 62-year-old.

Indeed, the duo weren’t dribbled past against AVS, while also combining for 16 clearances, nine recoveries and three tackles throughout the match.

Add in midfielders such as Enzo Barrenechea, Richard Rios, Manu Silva and Leandro Barreiro – all aged 25 or younger – and it is clear that this could be a team who simply need the right manager to guide them towards trophies.

Next up for Mourinho is a home clash against Rio Ave on Tuesday evening, marking his first ever match at the Estadio da Luz, which wasn’t even built during his maiden spell with the club.

All eyes, however, will be on the blockbuster clash against Chelsea in the Champions League next week, now even more seismic considering who is in the dugout. Mourinho’s ascent towards greatness began at Porto, but it was at Stamford Bridge where his legacy was cemented.

Three Premier League titles, three League Cups and an FA Cup were won across two spells with the Blues. 

Don’t be surprised if there is a little emotion in the air next Tuesday as the two clubs meet in London.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow all the games from the Liga Portugal on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Can Jose Mourinho rekindle his magic one last time at Benfica?

September 23, 2000 – 25 years to the day – Benfica lost 1-0 to Boavista. The away side would go on to win a maiden Portuguese title that season, but that isn’t why this result is notable.

By Ross Kilvington

That game was José Mourinho’s first ever competitive match in the dugout after making strides at Porto and Barcelona, first as a translator and then assistant manager, under his mentor, Sir Bobby Robson.

At first glance, that explosive 11-game stint at the Eagles didn’t exactly herald the new messiah. Indeed, he won just five matches before stepping down in December 2000, believing that new president, Manuel Vilarinho, wanted another coach.

A quarter of a century on, Mourinho has a chance to right the wrongs after returning to manage Benfica, signing a two-year contract with his first club. 

Is this his last chance to sprinkle that old Mourinho magic as he approaches the Indian summer of his career? Or will his second stint spell end as acrimoniously as his first?

With the ‘Special One’, you just never know what you are going to get.

Benfica need a winner in charge

Bruno Lage was sacked following Benfica’s failure to beat Qarabağ in the Champions League. They currently sit second in the top flight, already five points behind Porto, although the club do have a game in hand.

President Rui Costa stated in the aftermath of the decision that a “Benfica coach’s profile must be that of a winner”.

Enter Mourinho. Appointed last Thursday, he had just two days to prepare for a clash against AVS Futebol SAD and everything went to plan in what turned out to be a straightforward 3-0 victory.

Goals from Vangelis Pavlidis, Georgiy Sudakov and Franjo Ivanović – three of Benfica’s attacking quartet – ensured it was a positive homecoming for the 62-year-old.

This win also meant Mourinho extended his run of winning his first competitive game in charge of a new side. You have to go back to 2010, when his Real Madrid side drew 0-0 against Mallorca for the last time he failed to secure victory.

With six league titles, two Champions League trophies and a plethora of domestic cup successes, Mourino undoubtedly has the profile of a “winner” that Costa dearly wanted.

Now, he must build on his first victory by steering Benfica to their first domestic title since the 2022/23 campaign.

Why Mourinho and Benfica could be a perfect match

Mourinho’s league win ratio in his last role at Fenerbahce was 71.1%, which was the third-highest of his career to date. It proved that he still had the nous to coach at the highest level, despite the fact he hasn’t won a league title since 2015.

Mourinho’s recent career history expressed as win percentages (includes all competitions)

Of course, there have been a few trophies since. With Manchester United, Mourinho won the EFL Cup and Europa League. in 2022, he guided AS Roma to the inaugural edition of the Conference League, becoming the first manger to win Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League and European Conference League trophies.

Porto, who he managed between 2002-2004, currently lead the way in the Liga Portugal after six games, but there is no doubt that Benfica have a squad that can challenge for the title.

Against AVS, Mourinho lined up with a 4-2-3-1 system which worked extremely well. Pavlidis led the line superbly, notching his fourth goal of the season, while the likes of Ivanović, Sudakov and Fredrik Aursnes offered plenty of support.

While this system certainly appeared aggressive and attacking against the bottom side in the top flight, Mourinho’s traditional pragmatism will likely come into play over the next few weeks.

At the heart of his defence, veteran Nicolás Otamendi and young sensation Antonio Silva have the basis to form a magnificent partnership for the 62-year-old.

Indeed, the duo weren’t dribbled past against AVS, while also combining for 16 clearances, nine recoveries and three tackles throughout the match.

Add in midfielders such as Enzo Barrenechea, Richard Rios, Manu Silva and Leandro Barreiro – all aged 25 or younger – and it is clear that this could be a team who simply need the right manager to guide them towards trophies.

Next up for Mourinho is a home clash against Rio Ave on Tuesday evening, marking his first ever match at the Estadio da Luz, which wasn’t even built during his maiden spell with the club.

All eyes, however, will be on the blockbuster clash against Chelsea in the Champions League next week, now even more seismic considering who is in the dugout. Mourinho’s ascent towards greatness began at Porto, but it was at Stamford Bridge where his legacy was cemented.

Three Premier League titles, three League Cups and an FA Cup were won across two spells with the Blues. 

Don’t be surprised if there is a little emotion in the air next Tuesday as the two clubs meet in London.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow all the games from the Liga Portugal on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.