Jose Mourinho 'planned to attend Chelsea games' before Benfica appointment - but Blues have no intention to offer homecoming welcome to 'Judas' for Champions League tie

According to The Sun, if Mourinho wasn't walking out to the away dugout at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday, he might have been sat in the stands. Despite years of animosity since leaving Chelsea, his Belgravia home in west London remains his family’s base, and insiders reveal he had plans to attend games this season as a spectator.

But Chelsea have no intention of rolling out any red carpet when his new Benfica side come to town. There will be no grand gestures, no official tributes, and certainly no welcome party for a man who split opinion as fiercely as he won trophies.

Mourinho has returned to the Bridge before, with Manchester United and Tottenham, and those visits left scars. The infamous 2017 clash as Red Devils boss saw a section of younger Chelsea fans chanting 'Judas' at the man who delivered them three Premier League titles. Never one to back down, Mourinho reminded them with three raised fingers how many league crowns he alone had secured for the club.

Mourinho and his new Benfica side will head to Chelsea for their Champions League encounter next Tuesday, marking the 'Special One's first return to Stamford Bridge since 2020 when he was manager of Spurs.