Benfica: a first in the history of José Mourinho

Europe 26 September 2025 at 04:51

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI

News Editor

On September 18, José Mourinho took his seat on the Benfica bench, succeeding Bruno Lage and bringing an end to a brief, turbulent stint at Fenerbahçe, which concluded amid disagreements with the management. In just two matches, the Portuguese tactician has already laid down his first markers: one win, one draw, a tightened game plan, and a message that quickly galvanized a locker room desperate for direction. Benfica was searching for a sense of purpose—Mourinho brings structure, daily demands, and a combative mentality tailored for European nights. In Lisbon, expectations are sky-high, but the buy-in is already evident, from senior players to youngsters, not to mention a fanbase that longed for a leader to guide their transition.

See also: Liverpool locks down its prodigy Rio Ngumoha! (Official)

The numbers according to Rui Costa: the clause that changes everything

Asked about his coach’s contract, president Rui Costa sketched out the details without breaking confidentiality. “I don’t even have his permission to reveal how much he earns. A coach of this caliber has his price. It’s a significant contract, but it doesn’t exceed what Roger Schmidt had.” Pressed for specifics, he conceded a ballpark figure: “Three million net for the first season and four million for the second, more or less. It’s the lowest salary José Mourinho has received since leaving Portugal. His desire to come to Benfica convinced me he was the perfect man for the job.” Even more surprising is the contract’s flexibility: “He accepted a rare clause. To terminate the deal, the sum to be paid is less than half his annual salary. Mourinho showed real respect for Benfica’s current situation.” The message is twofold: ambition and caution. Benfica secures a global reference without jeopardizing its financial trajectory, Mourinho returns to an environment that resonates with him, with both sides embracing flexibility. The season is only just beginning, but the president and coach already seem perfectly aligned.