Having been relieved of his duties at Turkish side Fenerbahce on the back of suffering a Champions League qualification defeat to Benfica, Mourinho finds himself back his homeland and where it all began for him in a managerial capacity in 2000.
The ‘Special One’ is now 62 years of age, but he remains as competitive as ever. He is eager to deliver tangible success at Benfica – having made a habit of collecting major silverware over the course of his glittering coaching career – but knows that events on and off the field could impact his short and long-term future in Lisbon.
With presidential elections set to take place at Benfica in October, Rui Costa – who currently fills that role – told reporters when asked if Mourinho is an “electoral asset” for him: “I’m here as president of Benfica, I’m choosing a coach for Benfica. It confuses me that these terms are used. Our obligation is the future of the club, and not thinking about elections would mean leaving the club without a coach until the elections.
“Mourinho is Benfica’s coach because we believe he has all the credentials to lead a club like ours. We felt we had to change the coaching staff, and he needed a coach capable of managing a club of this size.”
On the terms of Mourinho’s contract, Costa added: “There’s a clause at the end of the season that leaves the club the option of continuing with the coach or not. We’re hiring a coach for Benfica who’s not indifferent at the global level; he’s one of the most highly regarded names in the world. We’re securing Benfica’s future with an excellent coach.”
Mourinho has boldly declared that “the day after the elections, I will be Benfica’s coach”. He is preparing for a first game at the helm against AVS on Saturday, while a reunion with Chelsea will be taken in on September 30 when heading to Stamford Bridge for an eagerly-anticipated Champions League fixture.
