Mourinho Returns to Chelsea: A CL Preview | OneFootball

Tuesday, September 30 @ 3:00pm ETStamford Bridge, London, England

José Mourinho’s recent appointment as head coach of Benfica brought with it an exciting return to his old stomping grounds at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho, 62 years old, managed Chelsea twice in his 25 year career, between 2004-2007 and 2013-2015, winning the league three times. His return will undoubtedly be met with a few jeers, but I think he’ll be lauded and applauded as the club experienced some of its greatest success under the Portuguese gaffer.

Don’t Look Back in Anger

Of course, Mourinho must not let reminiscing overpower his killer instinct. Brusquely dismissed from Fenerbahçe on August 29, after they were eliminated in the Champions League playoff, he spent exactly three weeks unemployed. Ironically, his new club is the same one that got him fired: Benfica. Double irony: Benfica is where he made his managerial debut back in September 2000. He would only last nine games before quitting in a highly public power play with the club’s executives.

Older and ostensibly wiser (though no less mercurial and opinionated), this won’t be his first, or likely last, return to familiar stadiums. He has managed at ten clubs.

The Hooligan Take

Chelsea are on the ropes. They’ve suffered three losses in their last five. In fact, in five of their last six losses they drew red cards. It seems pretty clear that a major key for Chelsea is keeping 11 on the pitch.

Benfica, since appointing José, have yet to lose (2 wins and a draw). Mourinho will do the typical Mourinho things: park the bus; rely on the counter; work the Stamford Bridge crowd; etc.

In the end, this match has 2 – 2 written all over it.

FWIW, my colleague the Qooligan thinks it will be 1 – 1 and had this to offer as well: