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Lisbon, Portugal (AP) — Jose Mourinho will once again coach in Portugal 20 years later, promise his own more mature and less egocentric versions.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“I only stop when I feel like something has changed,” he said. “Today I feel more hungry than I did 25 years ago.”<\/p>\n
Mourinho began his coaching career with Benfica in 2000, but lasted just three months before he entered into a contract dispute.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Return to the Champions League<\/h2>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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<\/span> In T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\nHis stint with Fenerbafe ended last month after the Turkish club was eliminated by Benfica in the Champions League qualifying playoffs.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Club president Louis Costa fired Lage, citing inadequate results recently. Benfica drew 1-1 10 Santa Clara in the Portuguese League last Friday.<\/p>\n
Costa said bringing Mourinho back to the club is a huge pride.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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