Jose Mourinho will return to Stamford Bridge when his Benfica side take on Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday and the former Blues boss has insisted that he is not fussed about the reception he gets from the fans, saying he is happy to be back.
The 62-year-old, who was appointed by the Estadio da Luz club on September 18 following the dismissal of compatriot Bruno Lage, managed Chelsea between 2004 and 2007 and again between 2013 and 2015, winning eight major honours including three Premier League titles.
Softfootball understands that Chelsea fans are looking forward to seeing the coach once again, and the club cashing in put the game in the top tier of ticket pricing even though Benfica are not the most illustrious opposition.
It was upon Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Chelsea in 2004 that he proclaimed himself the “special one”, although that sheen has worn out two decades on as he returns to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday with Benfica.
Recently, the Portuguese coach claims he is more “humble” and “altruistic” these days, but at his Benfica presentation he still made the point that even though he is considered to have struggled in recent years, he has led two teams to European finals.
Mourinho won the Champions League with Porto and Inter Milan, as well as three Premier League titles in two spells at Chelsea and La Liga with Real Madrid, and is a bigger ‘celebrity’ than Portuguese sides are accustomed to having on their benches.
As anticipation builds for Tuesday’s Champions League showdown at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho has spoken candidly about his return to face his former club. According to Fabrizio Romano via his Facebook page, the Portuguese tactician made it clear that he holds no expectations regarding the Chelsea fans’ reception, while stressing that he is simply happy to be back at a ground where he enjoyed some of the most successful moments of his career. The post reads:
Jose Mourinho: If Chelsea fans are great to me, then great. If they are not, that’s fine and no problem but I am happy to be back.
The former Real Madrid boss is no stranger to touchline antics or antagonising opposition supporters, whether that reception is maintained may depend on how the night unfolds. Both sides are keen to get off the mark in the Champions League, having lost their opening matches
Mourinho has made a strong start since returning to the Benfica dugout earlier this month. Having first managed the Lisbon outfit in 2000, he has guided the club to wins against AVS and Gil Vicente and a draw against Rio Ave in his first three matches in charge.
Benfica lost their Champions League opener after they threw away a two-goal lead in their shock 3-2 defeat against Azerbaijani side Qarabag on September 16, with Mourinho’s predecessor, Lage, later sacked following the result, and a huge week awaits for Mourinho as his side travel to fierce rivals Porto next Sunday, five days after their trip to Chelsea in the Champions League.
Chelsea are also looking to record their first Champions League win of the season when they host Benfica. Maresca’s men were beaten 3-1 by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in their opening fixture, with in-form striker Harry Kane scoring twice on the night. Their only goal of the game came through Palmer, who found the back of the net with a stunning finish.
