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‘I’m here to serve’: Jose Mourinho announced as new Benfica head coach
Benfica have confirmed the appointment of Jose Mourinho as their new head coach, marking a sensational return for the Portuguese tactician to the Estádio da Luz a quarter of a century after his first spell at the club.
The 62-year-old takes over from Bruno Lage, who was dismissed following Tuesday’s shock Champions League defeat to Qarabag.
Mourinho, who has been out of work since he departed from Fenerbahçe, ironically after a Champions League elimination at the hands of Benfica, has now signed a contract running until the end of the 2026/27 season. According to the club, there is also a clause that allows either party to terminate the agreement at the end of the current campaign.
🦅 Welcome, míster José Mourinho! pic.twitter.com/dpwSjDdNZB
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) September 18, 2025
At his unveiling in Seixal, Mourinho pledged total commitment:
“My promise is I will live for Benfica, live for my mission. I’m the coach of one of the biggest clubs in the world… I’m not important, Benfica is important, Benfica fans are important. I’m here to serve. I feel a huge responsibility, but I feel more alive than ever. I want to win competitions… My desire is to fulfil my two-year contract successfully.”
The veteran coach is set to take charge of his first match this Saturday against AFS in Liga Portugal. Benfica currently sit fourth with 10 points, five adrift of leaders FC Porto, though they hold a game in hand.
Adding intrigue to Mourinho’s comeback, his first European outing with the Eagles will pit him against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge — the very club where he rose to global prominence two decades ago.
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