Jose Mourinho’s Rocky Road at Benfica: A Second Chance or a Final Act?

omidbasir- Jose Mourinho’s reputation has undeniably diminished in recent years. Once known as a prolific trophy winner, he has added only one title to his illustrious resume in the past eight years, claiming the Conference League with Roma during the 2021-22 season.

His latest tenure at Fenerbahce bordered on the absurd, as he garnered more attention for his outspoken criticisms of officiating and the overall quality of Turkish football than for the club’s lackluster performances, which rarely exceeded mediocrity. Many questioned whether Mourinho truly earned the opportunity at Benfica, who appointed him after releasing Bruno Lage in September.

However, the reunion held a certain nostalgic charm. Mourinho’s coaching journey began at Benfica in 2000, where he left unfinished business after managing only ten games due to a fallout with the club president.

At his introductory press conference, he proclaimed, “The promise is very clear – I will live for Benfica, for my mission. I’m not the important thing – Benfica is important.” Yet, such statements were hard to take at face value, given his longstanding penchant for the spotlight.

Mourinho has always thrived in the limelight, often provoking rivals and rallying his players under a ‘us against the world’ mentality. While this strategy previously fostered unity and deflected external pressures, it proved unsustainable as the game evolved. His reluctance to adapt tactically led to frequent clashes with management and public rants aimed at players who failed to align with his vision. This pattern has resulted in him rarely remaining at a club for more than three seasons, with the exception of his inaugural term at Chelsea, which ended with his dismissal after a fourth season.

Thus, it comes as no surprise that Mourinho has continued to incite controversy at Benfica this season. In just his second match back in Liga Portugal, the team settled for a 1-1 draw against a struggling Rio Ave side. Following the match, Mourinho criticized the referee for disallowing a first-half goal, claiming he showed “no personality,” and labeled the outcome “tremendously unfair.”

After a lackluster 2-0 victory over third-tier Atletico CP in the Taca de Portugal, he condemned his squad’s “poor attitude” and remarked that he would have made nine substitutions at halftime if allowed. The following month, he again directed his frustrations towards officials after a 2-2 draw with Braga, asserting that “strange” occurrences in the VAR room cost Benfica crucial goals.

Mourinho has also seen his support wane among the fanbase. In January, around 200 Benfica ultras protested at the club’s training facility in Seixal, expressing their growing dissatisfaction with the team’s trajectory. They were granted a meeting with Mourinho, star defender Nicolas Otamendi, and technical director Simao Sabrosa, during which their grievances were voiced in a tense discussion.

While the protest remained peaceful, the message was unequivocal: results must improve. This sentiment was justified following a 3-1 loss to Braga in the Taca da Liga semi-finals and a 2-1 defeat to Porto in the Taca de Portugal quarter-finals. Mourinho even commanded his players to stay overnight at the training ground, a tactic interpreted as an attention-seeking maneuver.

Amid the turmoil, Benfica president Rui Costa publicly endorsed Mourinho, asserting, “No. He’s an excellent coach and has already proven that. It’s not an easy season. Changing the coach? That’s out of the question.”

Whether buoyed by Costa’s support or spurred by fan frustrations, Mourinho has since steered Benfica away from dire straits, leading them to five victories in their last seven matches across all competitions, scoring 14 goals in the process. The team is now just seven points behind Liga Portugal leaders Porto, and while capturing the title may require a monumental effort, a renewed sense of optimism has emerged.

Benfica remains unbeaten in 18 league games under Mourinho, and he has not lost in the Portuguese top-flight since managing Porto in the 2001-02 season. Leading Benfica to the Champions League playoffs is a notable achievement, especially considering the squad’s limited depth and his arrival following an initial defeat to Qarabag.

The team secured impressive victories over Ajax in Amsterdam and Serie A champions Napoli, overcoming his long-time rival Antonio Conte before triumphing over 15-time European champions Real Madrid. It seems that speculation regarding Mourinho’s decline may have been greatly exaggerated.

This perspective is echoed by former Real Madrid and Porto defender Pepe, who stated, “I was trained by him, I know his skills, and he’s an excellent coach who will surely do everything he can to help Benfica win. I don’t think Mourinho has lost anything; he’s still Mourinho. He has been improving and is now much more thoughtful.”

Similarly, ex-Benfica defender Sergio Nunes expressed admiration for Mourinho, asserting, “He remains one of the best in the world, with his experience and strategic thinking. I admire him, even if many believe he is no longer the same. He was what Benfica needed. With him, there’s an impact and a desire to achieve more. He’s building the future of Benfica.”

The pressing question remains: does Mourinho envision his future at Benfica? Should he deliver a significant achievement in the coming months, high-profile European clubs are likely to circle once more, testing his loyalty. Reports indicate a mutual break clause in his contract that can be activated within ten days of the season’s conclusion, with a return to Madrid appearing plausible, especially if current coach Alvaro Arbeloa is not retained.

The upcoming playoff match against Real Madrid, set to kick off in Lisbon on Tuesday, could function as Mourinho’s audition for a return. Arbeloa himself acknowledged Mourinho’s unique qualities, stating, “There will never be anyone like Jose… Anyone who tries to imitate him will fail.”

Mourinho’s provocative prowess was at its zenith during his tenure at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, where his touchline clashes with Pep Guardiola drew significant attention. Despite Barcelona’s dominance under Guardiola, Mourinho managed to secure five wins and six draws in 17 Clasico encounters, departing with a La Liga title and Copa del Rey trophy, as well as leaving a lasting impact on Cristiano Ronaldo’s career.

He still commands respect from Real Madrid’s leadership, as demonstrated by a message from president Florentino Perez, expressing happiness at Mourinho’s return to a club of his caliber. This has fueled speculation that Perez’s ultimate ambition is to rehire Mourinho.

Unlike the progressive yet inexperienced Alonso, Mourinho would instantly gain respect in the Bernabeu dressing room. For now, however, Mourinho is downplaying any potential move to replace Arbeloa. “Don’t count on me for soap operas. There are good soap operas, but they are very long,” he remarked to Sport TV when questioned about his ties to Madrid. “You miss a chapter or two and then you lose the thread. Don’t count on me, because I don’t watch soap operas.”

This typical sharp response reflects his strategic approach to avoid destabilizing his current project at Benfica. However, it does not rule out the possibility that Mourinho’s ambitions could be swayed by a formal approach from Real Madrid.

As the summer approaches, Mourinho may find himself at a crossroads, faced with offers from Madrid and potentially the Portuguese Football Federation, who are expected to seek a new coach after Roberto Martinez’s contract expires following the 2026 World Cup. While leading the national team would be enticing, a second stint with Madrid would undoubtedly place him back at the pinnacle of football, marking an extraordinary comeback.

Since leaving Manchester United in 2018, Mourinho has not operated at the highest level, despite his subsequent roles at Tottenham, Roma, and Fenerbahce. Furthermore, Benfica, while notable, does not command the same stature as heavyweight European clubs.

Madrid could benefit from another proven winner at the helm, even as they currently lead La Liga. The minimal points gap does not reflect the disparities between the two clubs, as Barcelona possesses a more cohesive identity. If anyone can unite the Madrid squad and motivate stars like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr to contribute defensively, it is Mourinho. Should he orchestrate another Champions League miracle with Benfica, he could become the frontrunner for the prestigious managerial position at Real Madrid.