Jose Mourinho Spectacular Comeback! The Special One Returns To His Roots

At 62, Jose Mourinho mightiness conscionable beryllium coming afloat circle.

Twenty-five years aft first stepping into Benfica’s dugout, nan man who styled himself arsenic The Special One is connected nan brink of a sensational return.

Benfica’s 2-3 illness astatine location to Qarabag successful nan Champions League connected Tuesday evening was nan last straw for Bruno Lage, who was sacked instantly aft nan defeat. Rui Costa, Benfica’s president, said that nan nine needs a “winner” connected nan touchline, and fast. A caller coach must beryllium successful spot earlier Saturday.

And here’s entering Mou.

Mourinho, backmost wherever everything began

Back successful 2000, Mourinho’s managerial profession began astatine Benfica, though it lasted conscionable 10 games earlier a conflict pinch nan committee ended it. From there, he stormed done Porto, winning nan Champions League successful 2004, and past built his fable astatine Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma and astir precocious Fenerbahce.

That past stint, successful Turkey, ended badly. Benfica themselves knocked Fenerbahce retired of nan Champions League play-offs successful August, and Mourinho was sacked conscionable days later. Yet, ironically, that aforesaid conclusion mightiness unfastened nan doorway to his homecoming.

A beardown connection from Benfica

The timing is critical. Benfica are sixth successful nan Primeira Liga, already 5 points disconnected leaders Porto, and statesmanlike elections loom successful precocious October. Joao Noronha Lopes, tipped to unseat Rui Costa, has openly courted Manchester United leader Ruben Amorim. But Costa insists nan managerial alteration isn’t astir politics, only football: “This is astir Benfica’s season, not re-elections,” he said.

Still, appointing Mourinho would beryllium a governmental and sporting statement. The nine needs personification who tin dependable nan vessel domestically and present successful Europe. And ideate nan headlines: Mourinho taking Benfica to Stamford Bridge connected 30 September to look Chelsea successful nan Champions League.

The Special One, still special?

Critics reason Jose Mourinho’s profession has been sliding, pinch short, rocky stints having go nan norm. But his sanction still carries a batch of weight, and Benfica’s fanbase would hardly kick astir welcoming a fable of Portuguese shot backmost to Estadio da Luz.

For Mourinho, nan communicative writes itself: redemption, legacy, nan 1 past chance to beryllium he’s still sewage it, correct wherever it each began. The countdown has begun. By Saturday, we’ll cognize if Benfica’s past really is astir to go its future.

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