'Outdated' Jose Mourinho told to 'accept his career is over' as ex-Chelsea & Man Utd boss nears surprise return to Benfica

Benfica’s board moved swiftly after the humiliation of blowing a 2-0 lead at home to Qarabag in midweek, sacking Bruno Lage as the game ended 3-2 to the Azerbaijani side. Club president Rui Costa is desperate for a marquee name ahead of next month’s crunch elections, and Mourinho’s name still carries weight in Lisbon. But while the boardroom is buzzing, the terraces are sceptical.

It’s been two decades since Mourinho last prowled a Portuguese touchline on a regular basis. Back then, he turned Porto into European champions, cementing his reputation as one of football’s most ruthless winners. But the years since his second Chelsea spell have told a different story. After lifting La Liga with Real Madrid in 2012, Mourinho’s career became a cocktail of sackings, underwhelming projects, and brief flashes of silverware. Manchester United dismissed him despite a League Cup and Europa League win. Tottenham gave him the boot just days before a cup final. Roma offered respite with a Conference League triumph, but Fenerbahce ended in failure after crashing out of the Champions League qualifiers.

For many, the Special One is now little more than a relic of a bygone era. And the reaction online has been brutal. 

@JOGOBONlTO sneered on X: “Why is Mourinho doing this? He just needs to accept his career is over and sit on Sky with Carragher and Keane.”

Another fan @NanaYawOp was even harsher: “We all know they’ll sack him after six months.”

@Yacine_mnrd mocked Benfica’s decision, with one writing: “Mourinho is outdated. He won’t save Benfica – Sporting will still walk the league 😂😂.”

@IamBradleyCarl came up with the most cutting verdict of all: “Mourinho will be sacked after 10 games and he'll collect another €12 million pay cheque. A business man😂🤜🏿🤛🏾."

Whereas, @thfcaditya_v3, wrote: "At some point when will football clubs stop hiring Mourinho and accept that dude is washed." 

The looming club elections make this appointment more than just football. Costa wants to flex his muscle with a heavyweight hire before Joao Noronha Lopes, his rival candidate, can woo fans with the promise of luring Ruben Amorim away from Manchester United. For Costa, Mourinho’s return would be a nostalgic masterstroke. For critics, it’s a desperate gamble that could backfire spectacularly.

If the deal is sealed, Mourinho would be back in the Champions League almost instantly, and fate could throw him into a reunion with Chelsea on September 30. It would be poetic theatre: the man who twice ruled Stamford Bridge returning to face his old club, now as the supposed saviour of Benfica.