The 62-year-old Portuguese tactician is back in his homeland with Benfica, the club that gave him his first managerial post back in 2000, following the dismissal of Bruno Lage.

Mourinho, who left Fenerbahce earlier this season, has made a positive start, overseeing wins against AVS and Rio Ave before a 2-1 victory over Gil Vicente on Friday.

What Mourinho said

Reflecting on Chelsea, Mourinho expressed relief that his side will not face “phenomenal” Cole Palmer, who is sidelined with a groin injury. But he also offered a candid assessment of the Blues’ turbulent years after Roman Abramovich’s departure in 2022.

“Chelsea. Abramovich’s Chelsea, my Chelsea, the Chelsea we built and lasted for many years was a winning club,” Mourinho told Metro.

He continued, “It was winning everything with me and then with Ancelotti, with Conte and with Tuchel. Chelsea was a winning machine. Every season, Chelsea was winning. Then came a significant shift marked by intense investment and a period when it seemed they had lost direction, with too many players, too many millions, and a team lacking a clear philosophy. For one who loves the club, it was hard.”

Mourinho, who lifted three Premier League titles across two spells at Stamford Bridge, believes the tide has turned under current manager Enzo Maresca.

“Maresca arrived and step by step, the puzzle was made,” he continued.

“Even the Conference League is a fantastic competition for a team like that to win. It gives you that first cup, the philosophy, and the culture of winning. Then they went to the States and came back with the big badge on the chest, so now they have a good, good team,” he added.

Benfica head into the clash unbeaten in the league this season (5W-2D), with Mourinho responsible for two wins and a draw since his appointment.