Portuguese giants Benfica announced on Thursday the appointment of José Mourinho as their new head coach on a two-year contract, just 48 hours after sacking Bruno Lage.

In a statement, the club said: “Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol has reached an agreement with coach José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix to sign a sporting contract valid until the end of the 2026–2027 season.”

The 61-year-old returns to manage one of Portugal’s most prominent clubs after a glittering career abroad, having led Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and most recently AS Roma, to domestic and European titles.

Mourinho’s comeback to Portuguese football is seen as a landmark move, reigniting expectations among Benfica supporters eager for success at both the domestic and continental levels.