3 d. ago José Mourinho says he wants results not memories after defeat on Chelsea return

Mourinho’s Benfica beaten 1-0 in Champions League‘We deserved something. The goal is the only mistake’José Mourinho said that he is sustained by wins rather than memories after the Benfica manager endured a 1-0 defeat on his latest return to Chelsea.Mourinho, winless in his past seven trips to his old club, was grateful to receive a fine reception from the Stamford Bridge crowd on Tuesday. But the most successful manager in Chelsea’s history was frustrated in his quest for victory and already faces a challenge to lead Benfica into the knockout stages of the Champions League. It left the 62-year-old reluctant to dwell on his two glorious spells at Chelsea. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago No happy Chelsea return for José Mourinho as own goal sinks Benfica

One-nil to Chelsea, a messy own-goal the difference, a defensive display solid enough to raise belief for tougher assignments to come. It was enough given the context, so much so that José Mourinho probably even appreciated the efficiency. He was back at Stamford Bridge to witness it all – a greyer figure these days, no longer the explosive touchline presence of old – and had little to offer beyond a few humble waves when the home fans sang their former manager’s name.Chelsea avoid any stumbles on their trip down memory lane. The narrative about how Mourinho’s return would show how far his old club’s standards have dropped never materialised. There was no alchemy from the 62-year-old; no expert tactical plan to confound Enzo Maresca. Then again the Mourinho of 2025 is not in charge of one of the Champions League’s giants. Benfica were a tepid proposition and rarely looked capable of denying Chelsea a narrow victory. The only negative for the hosts was João Pedro seeing red in stoppa...

Politics

3 d. ago Jose Mourinho forced to step in as Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez targeted by Benfica supporters

The build-up to Chelsea vs Benfica was the return of Jose Mourinho, but Blues' midfielder Enzo Fernandez was also being reunited with his own team

Events

3 d. ago Jose Mourinho given warm Stamford Bridge reception on return to Chelsea with Benfica

The former Chelsea manager is in his second stint in charge of Benfica and returned to London in the Champions League

Events

4 d. ago ‘The biggest one’: returning José Mourinho says he is still Chelsea’s greatest manager

Mourinho back at Stamford Bridge with Benfica‘I will always be a blue. I am part of their history’José Mourinho called himself “the biggest one” as he reflected on his record-breaking Chelsea history before his latest Stamford Bridge return. The self-styled “special one” is back with Benfica for Tuesday night’s Champions League tie and he repeated another famous old line of his to set the scene.Mourinho anticipates no hostility from Chelsea’s supporters as he seeks to ignite his Benfica tenure, having only joined them 11 days ago after his sacking by Fenerbahce at the end of August. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Jose Mourinho sends bold message to Chelsea and Enzo Maresca ahead of Benfica clash

Jose Mourinho has returned to Stamford Bridge ahead of Benfica's meeting with Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday night and reckons he is still the club's best ever manager

Politics

4 d. ago Jose Mourinho says he will ‘always be a blue’ ahead of return to Chelsea with Benfica

The Portuguese, sacked twice by Chelsea, remains the club’s most successful manager and retains a fondness for his former side

Politics

4 d. ago Mourinho’s return looms large as Chelsea and Maresca endure untimely blip

The comparison with Mourinho’s glory days will be clear as he returns with Benfica, but Stamford Bridge hierarchy is firmly behind their current manOnly league champions get their picture on the wall in the Drake Suite at Stamford Bridge. The room is named after Ted Drake, the author of Chelsea’s first title, and features images of a host of club legends: a beaming Carlo Ancelotti, one of Antonio Conte kissing the Premier League trophy and, as Enzo Maresca no doubt noted as he arrived to preview his young side’s Champions League tie with Benfica, three photographs of the manager whose latest return to west London conjures wistful memories of the days when Chelsea were the most feared team in England.Here comes the Special One. José Mourinho, who won three league titles across two spells at Chelsea, is in town with Benfica and will surely enjoy a wonderful reception. Maresca, meanwhile, inspires less warmth. He has taken Chelsea back into the Champions League, along with winning the ...

Politics

2 w. ago Jose Mourinho appointed Benfica boss to set up Chelsea return

Mourinho will return to Stamford Bridge with Benfica in the Champions League on September 30

Politics

2 w. ago José Mourinho confirmed as Benfica manager and faces swift Chelsea return

His contract to 2027 includes break clause this summerBenfica play at Chelsea in Champions LeagueJosé Mourinho has been confirmed as Benfica’s head coach on a contract until the summer of 2027, with a break clause at the end of this season. His fourth game, on 30 September, will take him back to his former club Chelsea in the Champions League.The 62-year-old takes over from Bruno Lage, who was sacked after Benfica’s 3-2 Champions League defeat by Qarabag on Tuesday. Benfica said in a statement that a break clause would allow the club or Mourinho to end his deal in the 10 days after their final game of this campaign. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Benfica in talks to appoint José Mourinho after sacking Bruno Lage

Lage goes after 3-2 Champions League defeat by QarabagClub president says successor ‘must be a winning coach’José Mourinho is in talks over a return to Benfica after the Portuguese club sacked Bruno Lage. The 62-year-old was in charge of Benfica between September and December 2000 and would face a swift return to Chelsea in the Champions League on 30 September.Benfica’s president, Rui Costa, confirmed Lage had been dismissed in a press conference after Tuesday night’s Champions League home defeat by Qarabag of Azerbaijan, who came from 2-0 behind at the Estádio da Luz. “I believe this is the time for a change, precisely to avoid compromising the season,” Costa said. “And, consequently, the coach who comes in must be a winning coach. A coach representing a club of this size must be one with the ability to bring this team to the levels we demand and give us the titles we desire.” Continue reading...

Politics