Mourinho: 'I am now much better than before'

Coach Jose Mourinho declared that at this moment, he is far more seasoned and capable than before during his recent interview ahead of Benfica's clash with Chelsea in the Champions League.

After leaving Fenerbahce last month, Jose Mourinho returned to his homeland to coach Benfica instead of waiting for the opportunity to lead the Portuguese national team as he had previously hoped. Under the "Special One’s" guidance, the Lisbon club has started well with 2 wins and 1 draw in the domestic league. They currently stand 3rd in the table, continuing their fight for the championship alongside Porto and Sporting Lisbon.

This is Mourinho’s first time coaching in Portugal after 21 years, at the very club where he began his managerial career 25 years ago, Benfica. At 62 years old, the veteran Portuguese tactician is recreating a Benfica that is solid, resilient, tough, powerful, and efficient.

In a conversation with UEFA, Mourinho reflected on his 25-year career managing top clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, concluding with a statement typical of the "Special One":We all see that a coach is born and dies with the same DNA, which cannot be changed. But as a person, you change over time. Perhaps early on I thought more about myself, but now I feel I live more selflessly. I believe my connection to football is to help players more than to think about my own future. This is a natural change; it doesn’t alter who I am but adds a new dimension to me as a person.

The Portuguese strategist emphasized: “I feel stronger, and I believe I am much better than before. The experience gained through matches makes a coach more mature. There have been games where I truly believed I had won because I made the right decisions, ideas, and strategies, sometimes before the match, sometimes during it. But I have never considered myself a genius. Maybe a bit of a provocateur, but not a genius or a devil.”

Now, Mourinho and Benfica are heading towards a big challenge at Stamford Bridge, where he once had close ties and achieved many triumphs with Chelsea.

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