'Outdated' Jose Mourinho told to 'accept his career is over' as ex-Chelsea & Man Utd boss nears surprise return to Benfica

Jose Mourinho has been told to "accept" that "his career is over" as the former Chelsea & Manchester United boss nears a surprise return to Benfica. The 62-year-old tactician, coming off an ill-fated stint at Fenerbahce, is reportedly in advanced talks to take charge at the Portuguese giants once again. However, some fans aren't buying the comeback story.

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  Benfica bet big on a fading giant

  Benfica’s board moved swiftly after the humiliation of blowing a 2-0 lead at home to Qarabag in midweek, sacking Bruno Lage as the game ended 3-2 to the Azerbaijani side. Club president Rui Costa is desperate for a marquee name ahead of next month’s crunch elections, and Mourinho’s name still carries weight in Lisbon. But while the boardroom is buzzing, the terraces are sceptical.

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• The Special One…or a spent force?

  It’s been two decades since Mourinho last prowled a Portuguese touchline on a regular basis. Back then, he turned Porto into European champions, cementing his reputation as one of football’s most ruthless winners. But the years since his second Chelsea spell have told a different story. After lifting La Liga with Real Madrid in 2012, Mourinho’s career became a cocktail of sackings, underwhelming projects, and brief flashes of silverware. Manchester United dismissed him despite a League Cup and Europa League win. Tottenham gave him the boot just days before a cup final. Roma offered respite with a Conference League triumph, but Fenerbahce ended in failure after crashing out of the Champions League qualifiers.

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  Fans tear into the move

  For many, the Special One is now little more than a relic of a bygone era. And the reaction online has been brutal. 

  @JOGOBONlTO sneered on X: “Why is Mourinho doing this? He just needs to accept his career is over and sit on Sky with Carragher and Keane.”

  Another fan @NanaYawOp was even harsher: “We all know they’ll sack him after six months.”

  @Yacine_mnrd mocked Benfica’s decision, with one writing: “Mourinho is outdated. He won’t save Benfica – Sporting will still walk the league 😂😂.”

  @IamBradleyCarl came up with the most cutting verdict of all: “Mourinho will be sacked after 10 games and he'll collect another €12 million pay cheque. A business man😂🤜🏿🤛🏾."

  Whereas, @thfcaditya_v3, wrote: "At some point when will football clubs stop hiring Mourinho and accept that dude is washed." 

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• Presidential politics in play

  The looming club elections make this appointment more than just football. Costa wants to flex his muscle with a heavyweight hire before Joao Noronha Lopes, his rival candidate, can woo fans with the promise of luring Ruben Amorim away from Manchester United. For Costa, Mourinho’s return would be a nostalgic masterstroke. For critics, it’s a desperate gamble that could backfire spectacularly.