Home of football statistics and historyJose Mourinho’s return to Portugal is a full-circle moment for a manager who has etched his name into footballing folklore over the past 25 years.
His recent appointment by Benfica has inevitably divided opinion. Some people think it is a masterstroke by a club which is desperate to win a record-extending 39th league title.
However, many other individuals believe Mourinho is no longer capable of living up to his glittering managerial legacy. That theory is supported by the betting industry.
Odds paint a tricky picture for Mourinho
Silverware has proved hard to come by in recent years for Mourinho. His last trophy success was the Europa Conference League title with Roma in 2021/22.
Given that Mourinho’s last league title was with Chelsea seven years earlier, the people who doubt he can still cut it at the top level may well have a point.
Reputable betting exchange sites rate Benfica as the third favourites behind Porto and Sporting CP to win the Primeira League title this season.
Porto’s unblemished start to the new campaign makes odds of 2.30 for them to hang onto top spot look a tempting proposition.
Sports bettors who keep faith with Mourinho will believe he can deliver a winning return, but the early signs suggest that may be easier said than done.
Mourinho hits an early roadblock at Benfica
The detractors were handed further ammunition after Benfica were held to a 1-1 draw by Rio Ave in Mourinho’s second game in charge.
That underwhelming result left Benfica third in the Primeira Liga, four points adrift of table-topping Porto and one behind Sporting CP.
His post-match reaction to the result was prime Mourinho. He accused referee Sergio Guelho of having ‘no personality’ after Benfica had a goal disallowed.
“If this is the new football, when goals are ruled out because a small toe steps on another small toe, I don’t like this new football,” Mourinho said.
“But that’s the way it is so we have to accept it. We kept trying and finally got the goal, but we conceded when we can’t concede a goal.
“It’s tremendously unfair and an awful result for us. It was the game that Rio Ave wanted and which the referee allowed.”
While post-match meltdowns have been a common theme for Mourinho throughout his career, they become more prevalent when things haven’t gone his way.
Despite the frustrating nature of this early setback, it is hard to imagine that the 62-year-old will fail to live up to expectations in his homeland.
He was arguably unfortunate to be sacked from his most recent job at Fenerbahce and will be desperate to prove he can still be successful in club football.
His in-depth knowledge of Portuguese football should serve him well at Benfica, while the make-up of the league will also aid his cause.
The ‘Big Three’ teams have won all but two Primeira Liga titles – Benfica (38), Porto (30) and Sporting CP (21). In simple terms, the enemies are in plain sight.
One of those rivalries will have an early airing on October 5 as Benfica travel north to face Porto. Mourinho will be eager to make a statement against his former club.
Overhauling Porto this season will be difficult and having Sporting in the mix makes things even trickier. However, Mourinho could be a good bet to get the job done.
Mourinho cannot afford to fail in Portugal
This is the last dance for Mourinho in club football. If he fails with Benfica, managing the Portugal national team would be his only remaining option.
Benfica FM podcast host Filipe Ingles acknowledges that the doubts are justified, but has backed Mourinho to prove why he is ‘The Special One’.
“Without a doubt, he’s the best Portuguese manager of all time and he was one of the best managers in the world,” Ingles said. “But I’m talking about the past, so there will be a few doubts if he’s still the great Mourinho that he once was.
“Journalists are ecstatic in Portugal that he is coming back. Of course, there will be a lot of attention and curiosity to see if he can still make a statement in Portuguese football, which I think he can.
“Benfica has very good players and if Mourinho doesn’t win the title, it will be considered a failure.”
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