Lisbon, Portugal (AP) — Jose Mourinho will once again coach in Portugal 20 years later, promise his own more mature and less egocentric versions.
Benfica signed a contract with Mourinho on Thursday and returned to the country 21 years after leading rival Porto to the Champions League title in 2004.
The coach was officially featured at a press conference and was scheduled to oversee the team during practice sessions later that day. His contract is until the end of the 2026-27 season, but he and the club have a non-renewable option at the end of this season.
Mourinho branded himself as “something special” at the peak of his career in his first spell at Chelsea in 2004-07, but now people say that they can expect a different personality.
“I think there are a lot more about other people today. I’m lined up at the end. I’m here to serve,” he said. “I’m a completely different moment when it comes to maturity. I don’t really matter. I’m more altruistic, not egocentric. I don’t think much. I’m thinking more about what I can do for others.”
Mourinho, 62, said the only thing that hasn’t changed is the “always desire to win the next match.” He said returning to Benfica did not imply an intention to retire anytime soon.
“I only stop when I feel like something has changed,” he said. “Today I feel more hungry than I did 25 years ago.”
Mourinho began his coaching career with Benfica in 2000, but lasted just three months before he entered into a contract dispute.
“I’m now a coach at one of the greatest clubs in the world,” he said. “None of the other huge clubs I coached in the world made me feel so honored and motivated as I am now as a Benfica coach.”
He said it was normal that not all Benfica fans were happy with his signature, and when Benfica played for his rival in October, he expected a “different” welcome by Porto fans.
“The respect I have for them and they have for me remains the same, but I will be back as their biggest rival coach,” Mourinho said.
Return to the Champions League
It’s been five years since he last came in the Champions League since his 16th time while coaching Tottenham in 2020. Mourinho won the Champions League at Inter Milan in 2010.
He won the third tier conference league with Rome in 2022, but his time at the Italian club from 2021 to 24 was marked by a contest that resurfaced with his short, chaotic spell. Fenerbafe In Türkiye.
His stint with Fenerbafe ended last month after the Turkish club was eliminated by Benfica in the Champions League qualifying playoffs.
Benfica fired manager Bruno Reiji on Wednesday, the day after his team was defeated 3-2 by Karabag in the Champions League. Benfica wasted a two-goal lead in front of the fans.
Club president Louis Costa fired Lage, citing inadequate results recently. Benfica drew 1-1 10 Santa Clara in the Portuguese League last Friday.
Costa said bringing Mourinho back to the club is a huge pride.
“We wanted a coach who was the winner, but we wouldn’t find a coach with a bigger resume than Mourinho,” Costa said. “The club wanted it to happen, so Mourinho wanted it to happen, making it easier for us to reach the deal.”
Benfica’s next match will be on Saturday in the Portuguese League of AVS. The next Champions League match will take place on September 30th at Chelsea.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
