Jose Mourinho has officially returned to Benfica as the club’s new head coach, with a contract running until 2027. This marks a full-circle moment for the Portuguese tactician, who first began his managerial journey with the Lisbon giants 25 years ago.

Mourinho, famously known as “The Special One” or “The Only One,” started at Benfica in 2000 after working as an assistant coach to Sir Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal at Barcelona. Back then, he signed a short six-month deal, but his tenure was cut short due to internal politics. The club’s president, João Vale e Azevedo, lost re-election, leading Mourinho to resign after just 11 matches, where he recorded six wins, three draws, and two losses.

Now with over 1,000 matches managed and multiple major trophies, including Champions League and league titles across Europe, Mourinho returns to the club where it all began. For Benfica fans, this is more than just a managerial appointment—it is the return of one of Portugal’s most iconic football minds to his roots.

As Mourinho takes charge again, supporters hope his experience and tactical expertise will usher in a new era of success for the Eagles. Football heritage, as he once famously described himself, has truly come home.