September 18 – José Mourinho is back in Lisbon, 25 years after his first managerial steps at Benfica, which lasted all of nine matches. His latest move feels as much about legacy and completing the circle as it does about results.
Mourinho, 62, is one of the modern-day greats and arrives with a resume that is second to none, containing a who’s who of European royalty with the likes of Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Roma, Tottenham Hotspur, and, most recently Fenerbahçe, all stops on his magical mystery tour.
He arrives in the capital bringing 26 major honours, including two Champions League titles and league triumphs in four different countries.
Critics often debate where the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ sits in the pantheon of great coaches.
Sir Alex Ferguson dominated through dynasty. Pep Guardiola has reimagined the way the game is played. Carlos Ancelotti delivered through his systematic haul of Champions League titles. Mourinho, however, has built his greatness on moments in time that leave indelible memories on the supporters who he led to places they never thought their teams would go.
Porto shocking the Red Devils and Europe in 2004; Inter’s treble in 2010; Chelsea’s initial surge when he arrived in West London, bullying all before them; while in Madrid, his life or death struggle with Guardiola’s, Barcelona was captivating. He was the master of siege mentality, the man who thrived on adversity, perceived or otherwise. He was the coach who bent football to his will through mind games as much as tactics.
Now, he returns to Benfica, where his solo show began after assisting the legendary Bobby Robson at Porto and Barcelona. As always, his press conferences are box office. “I feel more alive than ever,” he said. “I’m more altruistic, less self-centered. Benfica fans are important. I’m here to serve.” It’s not the rhetoric of a man on the make but the voice of one seeking completion.
He joins Benfica at a critical time as they already trail Porto by five points, although they do have a game in hand. They also face some daunting European nights and some heavyweight clashes against three of his old clubs: Chelsea, Real Madrid, and, of course, Porto, where he won his first Champions League.
For those who are tired of the schtick, Mourinho’s presence matters, though. Football is richer, noisier, and always headline-driven because anything can happen when José Mourinho walks into a dugout.
If Mourinho can deliver major silverware, in what feels might be his last job in club football before inevitably taking over the national team, he will leave the game just as he began it at Stamford Bridge… Special!
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