José Mourinho hires a second time at Benfica Lisbon. 25 years ago, he took over from a German coaching legend.
For José Mourinho, his debut as the new coach of Benfica Lisbon will close a circle on Saturday. Almost exactly 25 years earlier, the 62-year-old’s successful coaching career started at Portugal’s club-even if it shouldn’t last long.
On September 20, 2000, the young Portuguese started his first position as head coach, previously he worked as an assistant coach at FC Barcelona. On the Iberian Peninsula he succeeded a big name: Jupp Heynckes.
José Mourinho (left) and Jupp Heynckes at Duel 2012
The German had taken over the Portuguese record champion in the summer of 1999 with high expectations, after all, the then 54-year-old had given Real Madrid the first CL title since 1966 (then still European champion, editor’s editor ).
Heynckes remains behind the expectations
But Heynckes did not manage to meet the requirements of those responsible for the club. Benfica had remained without a title for three years, the last national championship was five years ago. Heynckes should lead the club back to success, but it quickly became clear that this undertaking would not succeed.
Despite an unsatisfactory season, Heynckes initially stayed in office, but caused a upset before the start of the next season. He sorted out the long -time captain Joao Pinto, who then switched to rival sports. In doing so, he triggered a protest storm of the fans who culminated in a whistle concert in his last game. “I can no longer stand this here. If you don’t want me, I’ll be going voluntarily tomorrow,” Heynckes threatened at the time. He made this threat and resigned two days later.
As mentioned, Benfica presented José Mourinho as the successor, then 37 years old. But his debut on the sidelines went into his pants – a 0: 1 against Boavista. Mourinho was not satisfied with the performance of his team, neither in this game nor in training. He trusted only a few seasoned players and also resorted to many players from the youth academy.
“He did not pay attention. He looked at other qualities,” said Diogo Luis, who was promoted to the first team by Mourinho at that time, at Sky Sports : “It was not important for him whether you were a 28-year-old Portuguese international or a young player from the B team.”
Mourinho and President throw over
The measures bore fruit, Mourinho only lost another of the following nine games. And yet his commitment to Benfica came to an abrupt end. After a 3-0 win over Sporting, Mourinho made the new club president Manuel Vilarinho the loyalty question and asked for an early contract extension after only two months.
But Vilarinho, who was not sustainably convinced of the Portuguese, declined his offer. A slap in the face for Mourinho, who then stepped down again on December 5, after only nine league games. In 2007, Vilarinho admitted in an interview that I had made a mistake: “In retrospect, I would have done exactly the opposite: I would have extended his contract.”
José Mourinho was a coach at Benfica in 2000
Mourinho went and started a world career at various top European clubs, including FC Porto, FC Chelsea, Inter Milan or Real Madrid. With Porto and Inter he won the Champions League. One who also achieved the win with two different teams: his Benfica predecessor Jupp Heynckes, who was successful in 1998 with Real and 2013 with FC Bayern.
“Special One” and Heynckes only meet once
The only two duels of the two trainer legends also took place as head coach of these two teams. In the Champions League semi-final in 2012, the Real trained by Mourinho met Heynckes Bavaria. The balance sheet: officially 1: 1 and yet Heynckes decided the duel for himself.
Because: Both games ended 2: 1 in the regular season. The Bavarians then prevailed dramatically in a penalty shootout and moved into the “Finale Dahoam” – with a less successful end result.
While Heynckes ended his coaching career in 2018, “The Special One” landed after stations at Tottenham Hotspur, AS Rome and Fenerbahce Istanbul where a world career began on the sidelines almost exactly 25 years ago.
José Mourinho Takes Over at Benfica Lisbon for the Second Time. 25 Years Ago, He Took Over There from a German Coaching Legend.
For José Mourinho, his debut as the New Coach of Benfica Lisbon on Saturday Will Complete a Circle. ALMOST Exactly 25 Years Earlier, The 62-Year-Old-Old’s Successful Coaching Career Began at the Club from Portugal-Even if it Shouldn’t Last Long.
On September 2000, The Young Portuguese Took Up his first position as Head Coach, Having Previously Worked as Assistant Coach at FC Barcelona. On the Iberian Peninsula, He Became the Successor to a Big Name: Jupp Heynckes.
José Mourinho (Left) and Jupp Heynckes in A Duel in 2012
The German Had Taken Over the Portuguese Record Champions in the Summer of 1999 with High Expectations, After All, The Then 54-Year-Old Had Given Real Madrid Their First Cl Title Since 1966 (Then Still European Cup of National Champions, Editor’s Note ) Just One Year Eear.
Heynckes Remains Behind Expectations
But Heynckes Failed to Meet the Requirements of the Club Officials. Benfica Had Been Without a Title for Three Years, The Last National Championship was Even Five Years AGO. Heynckes was supposed to lead the club back to success, but it quickly Became clear that endavor would not suctred.
Despite to UnsatisFactory Season, Heynckes Initally Remained in Office, But Caused a Stir Even before the start of the next season. Hey sorted out long-time captain joao pinto, who that moved to rival sporting. This triggered a storm of protest from the fans, which culminated in a chorus of whistles at his last game. “I can’t stood here any longer. If you don’t want me, i’ll leave voluntary Tomorrow,” Heynckes threated at the time. Hey Made This Threat Come True and Resigned Two Days Later.
As his successor, Benfica Presented José Mourinho, then 37 Years Young, as Mental. But his debut on the sidelines Went Wrong – A 0-1 Against Boavista. Mourinho was not satisfied with the performance of his team, Neither in this game nor in training. Hey a few established players, and so used many players from the Youth Academy.
“He Didn’t Pay Attention to Names. He Looked at other Qualities,” Diogo Luis, Who was promoted to the first team by Mourinho at the time, Told Sky Sports : “For Him It Didn’t Matter Whether You Were A 28 Year Old Portuguese International Or a Young Player from the B Team.”
Mourinho and President Fall Out
The Measures Bore Fruit, Mourinho Lost Only One More of the Following Nine Games. And Yet his Engagement at Benfica Came to an abrupt end. After a 3-0 Win Over Sporting, Mourinho Asked the New Club President Manuel Vilarinho About His Loyalty and Asked for An Early Contract Extension after Just Two Months.
But Vilarinho, who was not sustainably convinced of the portuguese, rejected his offer. A slap in the face for mourinho, who that resigned on December 5, after only only nine League Games. Vilarinho Admitted in an interview in 2007 that He Had Made A Mistake: “In Hindsty, I would have dolle exactly the opposite: I would have extended his contract.”
José Mourinho was Already Coach at Benfica in 2000
Mourinho Left and Started A World Career at Various European Top Clubs, Including FC Porto, FC Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. He Won the Champions League with Porto and Inter. One who so sucpeded in Winning it with two different teams: his benfica Predecessor Jupp Heynckes, who was successful with real in 1998 and with FC Bayern in 2013.
“Special One” and Heynckes only Meet Once
As Head Coach of these Two Teams, The Only Two Duels Between the Two Coaching Legends So Took Place. In the 2012 Champions League semi-final, Mourinho’s Real Met Heynckes’ Bavaria. The Record: Officialy 1: 1 and Yet Heynckes Won the Duel for Himelf.
Because: Both Games Ended 2: 1 in regular time. Bavaria then dramatically prevailed in the penalty shoot-out and moved into the “Finale Dahoam”-with a well-known Less Successful End Result.
While Heynckes Ended His Coaching Career in 2018, “The Special One”, after spells at Tottenham Hotspur, as Rome and Fenerbahce Istanbul, Has now Landed Where A World Care Began on the Sidelines Almost Exactly 25 Years AGO.