Jose Mourinho has already been warned of the sack threat he faces at Benfica, with the Portuguese a matter of hours into the two-year contract that he has signed at Estadio da Luz. The enigmatic former Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter boss is aware that he needs to deliver positive results in order to see out a deal through to the summer of 2027.
Full circle: Mourinho back where it all began
Having been relieved of his duties at Turkish side Fenerbahce on the back of suffering a Champions League qualification defeat to Benfica, Mourinho finds himself back his homeland and where it all began for him in a managerial capacity in 2000.
AdvertisementSpecial One: Portuguese boasts glittering CV
The ‘Special One’ is now 62 years of age, but he remains as competitive as ever. He is eager to deliver tangible success at Benfica – having made a habit of collecting major silverware over the course of his glittering coaching career – but knows that events on and off the field could impact his short and long-term future in Lisbon.
Presidential elections lined up by Benfica
With presidential elections set to take place at Benfica in October, Rui Costa – who currently fills that role – told reporters when asked if Mourinho is an "electoral asset" for him: "I'm here as president of Benfica, I'm choosing a coach for Benfica. It confuses me that these terms are used. Our obligation is the future of the club, and not thinking about elections would mean leaving the club without a coach until the elections.
"Mourinho is Benfica's coach because we believe he has all the credentials to lead a club like ours. We felt we had to change the coaching staff, and he needed a coach capable of managing a club of this size."
Getty/GOALMourinho's contract: Terms of Benfica deal
On the terms of Mourinho’s contract, Costa added: "There's a clause at the end of the season that leaves the club the option of continuing with the coach or not. We're hiring a coach for Benfica who's not indifferent at the global level; he's one of the most highly regarded names in the world. We're securing Benfica's future with an excellent coach."
