Nottingham Forest have been told why they "dodged a bullet" in not appointing Jose Mourinho as their new manager. After parting with Nuno Espirito Santo, the Reds were heavily linked with another Portuguese tactician. Reins at the City Ground were eventually handed to former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, with Stan Collymore reacting to that decision.
Rafa Benitez lifted the lid on his relationship with Jose Mourinho and made his feelings known on the Special One joining Benfica. The pair first locked horns in England back in 2004, when Benitez arrived at Liverpool just two weeks after Mourinho swaggered into Chelsea. What followed was a feud laced with mind games, press-room barbs, and an incredible 15 clashes in just three seasons.
AC Milan forward Rafael Leao revealed he was close to signing for his boyhood dream club Benfica, but the move fell through after the club failed to keep their promise of sending a van to pick him up for training. The setback left Leao in tears and ultimately led him to join Benfica’s arch-rivals Sporting CP, where he would go on to make his senior debut before eventually leaving Portugal.
Jose Mourinho has moved quickly to cool tensions with Porto fans after sparking anger with his unveiling comments at Benfica. The 62-year-old Portuguese coach, who began his career with the Lisbon giants in 2000, stressed that his return is not about 'waging war' on Porto or Sporting, despite admitting he expects a frosty reception when Benfica visit the Dragao in October.
Benfica might expect a reunion between newly appointed manager Jose Mourinho and one of his former players at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema. While the former French international is currently playing for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, his contract expires next year, and the club are ready to let him go if the Portuguese side pay a small transfer fee.
Porto president and Jose Mourinho's former assistant Andre Villas-Boas has spoken about the reception waiting for the Portuguese manager when he arrives at Dragao with his new side Benfica. The Porto supremo has also revealed the messages which were interchanged between him and Mourinho after the latter's decision to return to the Primiera Liga.
Jose Mourinho reportedly wanted 'to attend Chelsea games' before his Benfica appointment last week, but the Blues have no plans to offer a homecoming welcome to 'Judas' for their Champions League tie next week. Fresh from his abrupt sacking at Fenerbahce after failing to secure Europe’s top table through qualification, the 61-year-old is once again prowling touchlines where he believes he belongs.
Chelsea fans are "absolutely fuming" and have accused the Blues of exploitation ahead of Jose Mourinho's much anticipated return to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League. The clash has been slapped with a Category AA label, the most expensive tier in the club’s pricing structure, meaning adult general sale seats stretch up to a staggering £83.
Jose Mourinho has claimed it is his democratic right to critique officials' performances in the same way his own work is judged, as he awaits potential punishment a week after his appointment as Benfica coach. He is under investigation after accusing a referee of having 'no personality' following a controversial 1-1 draw against Rio Ave.
Benfica's new boss Jose Mourinho has shut down speculation linking Karim Benzema with a sensational return to Europe. While rumours swirled over a January reunion, Mourinho insisted the 37-year-old striker is happy at Al-Ittihad, thriving financially, and unlikely to leave Saudi Arabia, despite his illustrious Real Madrid past and recent form.
Jose Mourinho claims that he feels that he is a 'much better coach than before' as the Benfica boss prepares for a reunion with his former club Chelsea in the Champions League. After losing his job at Fenerbahce last month, Mourinho returned to his homeland to take charge of Benfica. Under the veteran coach, the Liga Portugal side have registered two wins and a draw thus far.
Benfica have publicly backed Jose Mourinho amid his ongoing feud with referees, issuing a furious statement condemning what they called 'double standards' in officiating. The club claimed recent decisions have systematically gone against them and demanded accountability from the Refereeing Council, insisting such performances 'cannot go unpunished'.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has called it a “privilege” to face Jose Mourinho as the Portuguese coach returns to Stamford Bridge with Benfica in the Champions League. With the Blues struggling for form and under pressure after recent defeats, Maresca now seeks to steady the ship and secure vital points against a Chelsea legend.
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has launched a stunning critique of his former rival Jose Mourinho, claiming the Portuguese "hasn't upgraded himself as a coach." After beating Mourinho's Fenerbahce to the Super Lig title last season, Buruk stated he "was better than" Mourinho and that his rival is "not focused like before."
Former Benfica manager Bruno Lage has opened up about the club's failed attempt to sign Joao Felix from Chelsea. The Portuguese side openly declared their desire to bring the forward back to Lisbon but were unable to match the Blues' asking price. Even though Felix had his heart set on returning to Benfica, he opted to accept an offer from Al-Nassr after the Saudi Arabian club paid the fee Chelsea wanted.
Jose Mourinho’s reunion with Chelsea, the club where he enjoyed so much success across two spells at Stamford Bridge, is one of the headline fixtures in this season’s Champions League as he takes new employer Benfica back to his former stomping ground. Blues winger Pedro Neto is relishing the chance to come up against his fellow Portuguese thanks to his incredible legacy.
Chelsea attacker Joao Pedro had a night to forget at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday against Benfica in the Champions League despite the 1-0 victory. The Brazil international arrived as a second-half substitute but was sent off deep into stoppage time after picking up two yellow cards and will now serve a ban. The sending off marred a good night for the Blues as they picked up their first Champions League win of the new season.
Jose Mourinho revealed that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez sent a message to him upon his return to Benfica. The Portuguese head coach said that his former boss told him he was happy to see him return "to a club of your calibre", reminding fans once again of the mutual love and admiration shared between the two men.
Jose Mourinho spoke about the "great potential" of Chelsea wonderkid Estevao Willian as his Benfica visited Stamford Bridge on Tuesday for a Champions League fixture. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Blues boss also revealed the truth about his links to the Brazil national team coaching job, a role that Carlo Ancelotti accepted in the summer.
Barcelona have commenced their communication with Benfica teenager Goncalo Oliveira's agent over a possible move in the future. The player's entourage met Barca's sporting director Deco, and although only brief talks were held, the Catalan think-tank might consider an offer for the 19-year-old, who is yet to make his senior debut for the Portuguese giants.
Benfica have been dealt a hammer blow ahead of their crucial Liga Portugal encounter against arch-rivals Porto on Sunday, with several members of the squad ravaged by a viral outbreak. According to reports from Portugal, some members of the coaching staff – including head coach Jose Mourinho – are also believed to have been affected with the symptoms.
Portugal legend Pepe has heaped praise on his former manager Jose Mourinho following his return to management with Benfica. The pair worked together at Real Madrid in what was, at times, a fractious relationship. But Pepe is delighted to see Mourinho back in his homeland, after he took his place in the dugout at the Estadio da Luz.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has opened up on his stormy relationship with Jose Mourinho, revealing how the former Manchester United boss once called him a “piece of sh*t” and how the two later reconciled at Roma. The Armenian also shared the intense methods Mourinho used to instil a winning mindset during their UEFA Conference League triumph.
Former Arsenal academy chief Adries Jonker has claimed that he has the capability to work with Jose Mourinho. Having worked as a deputy to top coaches like Arsene Wenger, Louis Van Gaal and Jupp Heynckes, Jonker might be brought on board after the elections at Benfica if Martim Mayer, the presidential candidate, wins this year's vote.
Ahead of Benfica's presidential election, candidate Joao Diogo Manteigas claims Jose Mourinho, the club’s current manager, “is not a coach with a future” at the Lisbon side and already has his eyes set on managing the Portuguese national team. While acknowledging Mourinho’s winning mentality, Manteigas believes the veteran tactician’s ambitions go beyond Benfica.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has showered praise on Jose Mourinho ahead of Tuesday's clash with Benfica in the Champions League at St James' Park. Howe has described the self-anointed 'Special One' as a "visionary" and has revealed his admiration for the former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach. Benfica head into the match against Newcastle in search of their first win in the competition this season.
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Benfica
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