José Mourinho appointed as new Benfica manager

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·18 settembre 2025

José Mourinho appointed as new Benfica manager

Twenty-one years on, José Mourinho is heading back to Portuguese football. On Thursday, he was officially unveiled as the new manager of Benfica - the very club where he first cut his teeth as a head coach.

The ‘Special One’ had been out of work since leaving Fenerbahçe and has now signed a two-year deal with the Lisbon giants.

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Mourinho’s first spell at Benfica came at the back end of 2000. Despite making a bright start, he walked away from the job following a change in the club presidency.

Since then, his career has taken him to UD Leiria, Porto, Chelsea (twice), Internazionale, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma and, most recently, Fenerbahçe – a journey decorated with 26 trophies.

The first game of this new Benfica era comes next Saturday, 20 September, when the Eagles travel to face AFS.