Jose Mourinho marked his return to management in Portugal with a statement victory, guiding Benfica to a 3-0 win over AVS on Saturday. The triumph came at the very club where the ‘Special One’ first began his illustrious coaching journey back in 2000, making the occasion a symbolic homecoming after 25 years.
Softfootball reported that the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss was announced as Benfica’s coach on Thursday. The win left Benfica in second place in the Portuguese league standings at five points behind FC Porto and with a game in hand.
Heorhii Sudakov opened the scoring in first-half injury time. Vangelis Palvidis doubled the lead, and Franjo Ivanovic put it away. AFS was left in last place.
According to Fabrizio Romano’s Facebook post, José Mourinho expressed his delight after a 3-0 debut victory with Benfica, stating that no club has ever made him feel more excited. The ‘Special One’ described the Portuguese giants as offering him the best challenge of his career. The post reads:
José Mourinho after winning 3-0 on his debut at Benfica: “NO CLUB HAS EVER MADE ME MORE EXCITED. This is the best challenge
Mourinho replaced ex-Wolves boss Bruno Lage at Benfica after he was sacked following Tuesday’s shock Champions League home defeat to Qarabag of Azerbaijan.
The 62-year-old Mourinho led Porto to the Champions League title in 2004 and left Portugal to take over at Chelsea. Last month, his stint with Fenerbahce ended after the Turkish club was eliminated by Benfica in a qualifying playoff of the Champions League.
His contract with Benfica is until the end of the 2026-27 season, but he and the club have a non-renewal option at the end of this season. His first spell at the club lasted just 11 games but Mourinho said in his presentation that he is more mature now.
The Portuguese, who famously gave himself the moniker ‘the special one’ in 2004, returns to Stamford Bridge to face his former club Chelsea in the Champions League on 30 September.
