José Mourinho named Benfica coach three weeks after Fenerbahce exit - ESPN

José Mourinho has returned to Portuguese football as coach of Benfica, the club announced on Thursday.

Mourinho, 62, has signed what is provisionally a two-year deal with the Lisbon-based outfit less than three weeks after being sacked by Fenerbahce.

The club have confirmed Mourinho's contract contains a clause that notes «10 days after the last match of the 2025-26 season, under the same conditions, both Benfica and the coach may choose not to continue the contract for the 2026-27 season.»

A defeat against his former club Benfica in the Champions League qualification playoffs led to Mourinho being let go by Fenerbahce.

He replaces Bruno Lage, who was dismissed on Tuesday following the team's 3-2 home loss to Qarabag in their Champions League opener.

It was at Benfica where Mourinho got his first experience as first-team manager in 2000 and he now embarks on his 12th managerial role.

Mourinho recently declared his desire to return to coaching in his native Portugal while he is still «at the height» of his career.

Mourinho, who arrived at Benfica's training ground driving his black Ferrari, returns to Portuguese football 21 years after leaving FC Porto.

«I have so many emotions, but experience helps me control them,» he said during his unveiling.

«I want to thank you for your trust. Being Portuguese, there's obviously no one who isn't familiar with the history and culture of the Benfica nation and this club, but I want to make it clear that I have to be able to block out all these emotions and view Benfica in a very simplistic way.

»I'm the coach of one of the biggest clubs in the world. I want to focus on this mission, focusing not on the difficulty but on the pleasure of a coach's job, focusing on something exciting.

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