Jose Mourinho marked his return to Portuguese football with a victory as Benfica defeated AFS 3-0 away from home on Saturday, in his first match back in charge of the club where his managerial career began nearly 25 years ago.

Appointed on Thursday following Bruno Lage’s dismissal, Mourinho wasted no time in delivering a result.

Heorhii Sudakov broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time, before Vangelis Pavlidis and Franjo Ivanovic added second-half goals to seal the comfortable win.

The result lifted Benfica to second place in the Portuguese league, five points behind leaders FC Porto with a game in hand.

The 62-year-old manager previously coached Benfica briefly in 2000 before embarking on a decorated career that included Champions League glory with Porto in 2004 and trophy-laden spells at Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.

His latest role comes just weeks after parting ways with Fenerbahce, following their Champions League playoff defeat to Benfica.

Mourinho’s contract runs until the end of the 2026/27 season, though both parties have an option not to renew at the close of this campaign.

For now, Benfica fans will relish the winning start of a familiar face aiming to restore domestic and European success at the Estádio da Luz.