Mourinho returns to the Bridge as ‘humbled’ special one

IT WAS upon José Mourinho’s arrival at Chelsea in 2004 that he proclaimed himself a “special one’, although that sheen has worn away two decades on as he returns to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday with Benfica.

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The Portuguese coach claims he is now more “humble” and “altruistic’, but at his Benfica presentation he still made the point that, even though he is considered to have struggled in recent years, he has led two teams to European finals.

Bringing those big nights and silverware to Benfica is the 62-year-old’s new mission, after he was sacked by Turkish side Fenerbahge in August.

Mourinho, who won the Uefa Champions League with Porto and Inter Milan, as well as three Premier League titles across two spells at Chelsea and La Liga with Real Madrid, is a bigger ‘celebrity’ than Portuguese sides are accustomed to having on their benches. Benfica president Rui Costa is believed to have turned towards Mourinho to give himself extra weight in upcoming club elections in October, although he denied that suggestion.

“Mourinho is Benfica’s coach because we believe he has all the credentials to lead a club like ours,” insisted Costa.