José Mourinho has officially been appointed as Benfica’s head coach, signing a contract that runs until the summer of 2027, with a break clause allowing either party to end the deal at the conclusion of this season.
His fourth game in charge, on 30 September, will see him face his former club Chelsea in the Champions League.
The 62-year-old succeeds Bruno Lage, who was dismissed following Benfica’s 3-2 Champions League loss to Qarabag on Tuesday. Benfica confirmed that the break clause permits either the club or Mourinho to terminate the contract within 10 days after the final game of the current campaign. The clause was reportedly included with Benfica’s upcoming presidential election in October in mind.
“It’s a contract with great ethics behind it,” Mourinho said. “I only signed it; I wasn’t the one who drew it up – it was outlined by the club’s management and my collaborators. Of course, I only sign what pleases me, but it has a tremendous ethical concept. From the club’s side, there is a huge respect for the elections and the members. That touched me because the contract was directed towards these ethics.
“The day after the elections, I will be the coach of Benfica. This ethical aspect gives me a freedom that wouldn’t exist under other conditions. I want to work at Benfica, but I also wish for people to trust me.”
Mourinho has been out of work since leaving Fenerbahce in late August, following a defeat to Benfica in a Champions League qualifier. Although he briefly coached Benfica in 2000, he rose to prominence with Porto before managing clubs including Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United.
“I had the opportunity to work at the biggest clubs in the world, and I can say that none of the other giant clubs I’ve coached made me feel more honoured, responsible, or motivated than being the coach of Benfica,” he said. “Words sometimes are carried away by the wind, but actions are not. My promise is very clear: I will live for Benfica, for my mission.”
Mourinho’s first match in charge will be a league fixture against struggling AVS on Saturday. Benfica currently sit sixth, five points behind leaders Porto, with a game in hand. This appointment marks Mourinho’s 12th head coaching role and his first in his homeland since 2004.
He will return to Porto on 5 October, where he received a standing ovation as a spectator last Saturday. “I’m expecting a different reception,” he said. “The one they gave me before is normal – I’m a historic coach for the club. My goal is not to enjoy a visit but to win a game. The respect they have for me doesn’t change, but I’m returning as the coach of the main rival.”