25 years ago, José Mourinho stepped onto the field for the first time in a competitive match as a manager, Benfica losing 1-0 to Boavista. After that, 11 games, he virulently ended his run in December by resigning and convinced that the new president Manuel Vilarinho wanted another coach.
25 years later, the ‘Special One’ is back at Estádio da Luz, signing a two-year contract and asking for forgiveness at the club he left at.
His kickoff at the second term of Benfica was a triumph straight away. Despite having only two days to prepare, he managed a convincing 3-0 victory at home against AVS Futebol SAD, owing to goals from Vangelis Pavlidis, Georgiy Sudakov, and Franjo Ivanović. In light of this game, his incredible streak of winning every first match in all clubs since 2010 was extended further.
According to Benfica president Rui Costa, “the profile of a Benfica coach must always be that of a winner,” and, without doubt, Mourinho’s CV is the perfect match. Rash pedigree is proved with trophies that include six league titles, two Champions Leagues, and a multitude of domestic cups.
The last of his victories was in 2022 when he led AS Roma to the very first UEFA Conference League season.
Benfica are currently four points behind Porto with an extra match to follow. Mourinho effectively applied the 4-2-3-1 plan which was energetic and attacking sided with Pavlidis flourishing in front of the goal and the combination of Nicolás Otamendi and Antonio Silva providing a good defense at the back.
Rio Ave will be waiting for them at home next, then comes the Champions League game against Chelsea—a club where Mourinho achieved legendary status. At the same time as we are seeing the question it is being asked to Benfica, i.e., can Mourinho turn out to be the one who rekindled the spark once as powerful as when he was football’s most feared tactician?.
