Mourinho officially leads Benfica

(Dan Tri) - Jose Mourinho has officially signed a contract until the end of the 2026-27 season with Benfica. However, after the 2025-26 season, both sides have the right to consider whether to continue the contract or not.

Benfica have officially confirmed the appointment of Jose Mourinho as head coach, marking the surprise return of the "Special One" after 25 years. The announcement was sent to fans and announced at the launch press conference, stating that Mourinho's contract will be valid until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Benfica press conference to launch Benfica (Photo: Benfica).

According to the documents, the contract includes a clause that allows both Benfica and coach Mourinho to choose not to continue the contract for the 2026-27 season. 10 days after the last match of the 2025-26 season, the two parties will hold a meeting to evaluate the results of the season and from there determine whether the two parties will continue to work together.

During his presentation, the 62-year-old coach from Setubal opened by thanking President Rui Costa: "I want to thank you for your trust, thank you for the honor I feel at this moment. As a Portuguese, no one is unfamiliar with the history, culture and size of Benfica and this club."

Mourinho also emphasized the focus on the task ahead, putting aside all personal emotions: "I want to make one thing clear: I have to put aside all these emotions and look at Sport Lisbon and Benfica, my job, this responsibility, in a very simple way. I am the coach of one of the biggest clubs in the world . I want to focus and concentrate on this mission, I'm not talking about difficulties, but on the joy of the moment, from a coach's perspective. Focusing on something is always really interesting."

He also downplayed the trophies won after his first spell in charge in 2000, insisting his return this time was not about celebrating the past: "It's been 25 years, but I'm not here to celebrate my career, it's 25 years I've had the opportunity to work at the biggest clubs in the world, and to finish this speech, as a representative of this club, I want to say that there is no other big club I've had the opportunity to coach that has made me feel more honoured, responsible or motivated than being coach of Benfica."

The press conference was kept short at the request of Mourinho, who revealed his plans to stay at Seixal until the team travelled north to face Aves on Sunday. "I left home and said 'See you on Sunday'," he admitted, hinting at his intense focus on his new job.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/mourinho-chinh-thuc-dan-dat-benfica-20250918220930064.htm