Jose Mourinho already made two Premier League comeback terms clear as 'return agreed'

Chelsea legend Jose Mourinho has decided that his next managerial role will not be on British soil. The Portuguese icon is reportedly nearing a return to Benfica, but he has previously outlined two conditions that could see him manage in the English top-flight again one day.

Following just over a season with Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce, Mourinho was dismissed in late August and found himself back on the job hunt.

Portuguese reports now suggest he is poised to return to Estadio da Luz, the place where his top-flight management career kicked off. His imminent appointment comes after Benfica coach Bruno Lage was sacked following the club's unexpected defeat in the Champions League to Qarabag this week.

Mourinho, 62, made an immediate impact upon arriving in English football when he clinched the Premier League title with Chelsea in the 2004/2005 season. This followed a remarkable Champions League victory with Porto the previous season.

A second tenure with the Blues, a somewhat successful period at Manchester United and a spell at Spurs ensued. Mourinho's fondness for the English game has often led to speculation about a return to the UK, and he once stated he would like to manage a Premier League team not involved in European competition and one based in London, reports the Mirror.

Mourinho ran into trouble with UEFA officials during a Europa League encounter with United, whilst serving as Fenerbahce manager, in October 2024. After being dismissed to the stands by the referee, the 62-year-old teased a potential return to England.

Taking a swipe at UEFA, his playful comments nevertheless set the speculation machine into overdrive with sides like West Ham and Nottingham Forest reportedly keeping tabs on Mourinho at that time.

"I think the best thing I have to do is, when I leave Fenerbahce, I go to a club that does not play UEFA competitions," Mourinho said. "If any club in England from the bottom of the table needs a coach in two years, I am ready to go."

Nevertheless, he subsequently clarified his position. Whilst he couldn't envisage himself scrapping at the bottom of the division, maintaining that only "brave guys" take on such roles in the Premier League, he did confess his affection for London.

"I had three clubs in England, Chelsea twice, so in four different periods I've coached in England and I loved it," Mourinho said in October 2024.

"I've been so, so lucky to live in beautiful countries and beautiful cities like Istanbul, Rome, Madrid, Milan but my family lives in London. London is home so one day I want to be back, unless nobody wants me."

The self-proclaimed 'special one' and his involvement with the Premier League resulted in him securing three titles, three League Cups and an FA Cup with Chelsea over two periods. He also clinched the League Cup and Europa League with United after joining the Red Devils in 2016.

He then moved to Tottenham Hotspur in November 2019. Although he didn't secure any trophies with Spurs, he did lead them to the League Cup final, only to be dismissed before the match itself.

Beyond the UK, Mourinho achieved the treble, including the Champions League, with Inter Milan in 2010. A tenure with Real Madrid from 2010-2013 yielded a La Liga title and a Copa del Rey.

In 2021, he returned to Italy with Roma where he won the UEFA Europa Conference League. He also guided the Serie A giants to the Europa League final the following season.

Mourinho is now anticipated to join Benfica, marking his return to work in his homeland for the first time since 2004. However, it's safe to say that the possibility of the charismatic coach returning to the Premier League someday remains open.

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