After 25 years
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A few weeks after his end at Fenerbahce, José Mourinho takes over the coaching position at Benfica. The 62-year-old signed a contract with the club until 2027, in which he started his successful coaching career in 2000. In the upcoming winter transfer window, Mourinho could set a milestone that another coach has reached worldwide.
According to the association, a clause for the coming year is anchored in the contract with Mourinho, which enables both sides to end the employment relationship prematurely ten days after the season. The trainer icon follows at Benfica on Bruno Lage, who has been in office since September 2024 and had to go against Qarabağ Ağdam after the embarrassing defeat in the Champions League.
The Portuguese club played a significant part in the fact that Mourinho had to vacate his position at Fenerbahce. Benfica defeated the Istanbuler in the Champions League playoffs, two days later “The Special One” was released. In 62 games, he scored an average of 2.02 points.
Mourinho’s coaching career began 25 years ago at Benfica
Mourinho’s coaching career started at Benfica 25 years ago. After being assistant for several years under Louis van Gaal at FC Barcelona, he hired Benfica in September 2000. There he only stayed ten games in office, in which he collected an average of 1.8 points. There are ten stations between his two terms in Lisbon, including Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Manchester United. He won championships in England, Spain, Portugal and Italy and the Champions League twice.
In the winter transfer window, Mourinho waves a brand that has only reached Pep Guardiola so far. His clubs currently committed new players for a total of more than 1.99 billion euros-the 2 billion mark could be exceeded with the next transfer. Mourinho missed the final sprint on the transfer market in Turkey when Fenerbahce committed Kerem Aktürkoğlu from Benfica for 22.5 million euros.