Jose Mourinho's telling gesture to Chelsea fans as emotional return set up

Jose Mourinho is once again set to return to Chelsea and will be hoping that his visit goes better than some of his previous reunions. The former Blues and Manchester United boss is closing in on yet another new job.

Portuguese side Benfica are in talks with Mourinho about the prospect of him potentially replacing Bruno Lage at the helm, after he was sacked overnight following their Champions League defeat to Qarabag.

Should discussions go positively, Mourinho will be handed a swift return to the dugout following his exit from Turkish giants Fenerbahce earlier this month.

It’s not just management that Mourinho will return to – he’s also in line to come back to Stamford Bridge with Benfica set to travel to west London in the Champions League on September 30. And the image of him prowling the Stamford Bridge touchline will stir images for some of his previous return, having been given a less than friendly reaction by Chelsea fans in 2018.

After being booed, Mourinho – then of Manchester United – held three fingers aloft to signify the three Premier League titles that he lifted as Chelsea boss. Explaining the gesture, Mourinho said: "Treated with respect? I don't think.

"It's not my responsibility. I have a certain level of education socially and in sport and what I did here today I will do in Madrid, Porto, Milan. I will behave always the same way. But the reaction of the fans is up to them, not up to me."

It was not the first time that Mourinho had made the gesture. After another hostile reception during an FA Cup meeting between the two teams the season before, he held three fingers to fans in the stands.

"They can call me what they want," Mourinho said of the abuse he received. "I am a professional. I defend my club. Until the moment they have a manager that wins four Premier Leagues for them, I'm the No. 1.

"When they have somebody who wins four Premier Leagues for them, I'll be No. 2. For this moment, 'Judas' is No. 1."

While another trip to Stamford Bridge might be on Mourinho’s mind, he has plenty to consider before then. He could potentially get his Benfica spell underway this weekend as the Portuguese side tackle AVS Futebol, while Rio Ave and Gil Vicente are set to come before Benfica’s Champions League clash with Chelsea.

Meanwhile, the Blues have a packed schedule ahead of potentially welcoming Mourinho back to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea take on Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening ahead of clashes with Manchester United, Lincoln City and Brighton.

Since leaving Chelsea for the second time, Mourinho has taken in spells with United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma and Fenerbahce.

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.