Mourinho is managing Benfica and is preparing to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Shortly after being sacked by Fenerbahce, Jose Mourinho reached a two-year agreement with Benfica, preparing to face his former club Chelsea in the group stage of the 2025/26 Champions League.

On Wednesday (September 17), Jose Mourinho announced that he had received an official offer from Benfica, the club that caused him to be sacked by Fenerbahce after losing in the Champions League play-offs.

Benfica began their 2025/2026 Champions League group stage campaign with a historic 2-3 defeat against Qarabag (Azerbaijan).

Mourinho has reached an agreement with Benfica until 2027. Photo: A Bola

Earlier, "The Eagles" were also held to a 1-1 draw by Santa Clara at their home stadium, Estádio da Luz, in the Portuguese league.

This result led to Bruno Lage's dismissal. Immediately, President Rui Costa began negotiations to invite Mourinho to Lisbon.

Upon receiving the signal, Mourinho flew from Spain back to Portugal to begin negotiations.

“Benfica officially asked me if I was interested in the job. I said that I was abroad, and when I returned to Portugal I would be happy to talk,” Mourinho said.

"The Special One" admitted: "When faced with the possibility of managing Benfica, I didn't think twice in the sense that: I'm interested, I want the challenge."

According to Mourinho, this return to his homeland was "not planned at all" .

This return also marks 25 years since Mourinho made his professional coaching debut. Benfica is where he began his career in 2000, after a stint as an assistant coach at Barcelona.

The 62-year-old strategist also emphasized that this scenario " is not a career celebration . "

Upon arriving in Lisbon, Mourinho stated: “ Which coach would refuse Benfica ? Certainly not me.”

I left my old club three or four weeks ago . I'm not going to sit around until the end of the season; that's not in my nature. I want to work .

I told myself I needed to find emotional balance . I also didn't want to agree to join an unsuitable club just because I 'm a workaholic.

In this case, when faced with the opportunity to coach Benfica, I didn't think much about it . I was interested, I liked the job . "

Agreeing to a contract with Benfica until 2027 also means Mourinho will return to the Champions League.

Benfica – two-time European Cup winners (1960/61, 1961/62) – will play their second group stage match against Chelsea on September 30th. It will also be a memorable return for Mourinho.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/mourinho-dan-dat-benfica-chuan-bi-den-stamford-bridge-dau-chelsea-2443742.html