Benfica have appointed Jose Mourinho as their new manager on a deal until the summer of 2027. The 62-year-old, who was sacked last month by Fenerbahce after just over a year in charge, makes a swift return to management at the club where he was briefly in charge between September and December 2000.

Mourinho succeeds Bruno Lage, who was dismissed following Benfica’s shock Champions League defeat to Qarabag on Tuesday. The former Chelsea boss now returns less than a month after being eliminated from the Champions League play-offs by his new side while at Fenerbahce.

Mourinho, who began his managerial career with Benfica in 2000 but left after just 10 matches following a dispute with the club president, declared his commitment upon his return.

“The promise is very clear: I will live for Benfica, for my mission. I’m not the important thing, Benfica is important,” said Mourinho.

His contract includes a clause allowing either party to opt out up to 10 days after the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Lage leaves despite losing just one game across all competitions this season, with Benfica sitting sixth in the Primeira Liga, five points behind leaders Porto but with a game in hand.

Mourinho’s first match in charge will be on Saturday against AVS, before he makes a high-profile Champions League return to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on 30 September.