Mourinho's Return to the Bernabéu: Six Champions League Trophies Later
José Mourinho is set for an emotional return to Real Madrid with Benfica in the Champions League play-in round, 11 years after his departure from the Spanish capital.
The Special One is heading back to his old stomping ground, as José Mourinho prepares to face Real Madrid in the Champions League for just the third time since his departure from the Spanish giants in 2013.
The Mourinho Legacy at Madrid
When Mourinho left the Bernabéu in May 2013 by “mutual agreement” (the same diplomatic phrasing used for Xabi Alonso’s recent exit), he left behind a complex but undeniable legacy. His trophy haul might seem modest by Madrid’s lofty standards – one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa – but the context matters enormously.
Those trophies were won against Pep Guardiola’s seemingly invincible Barcelona side. More importantly, Mourinho laid the foundations for what would become a European dynasty. After breaking the club’s Champions League last-16 curse (though ironically hitting a new semi-final ceiling three years running), Madrid would go on to win an astonishing six Champions League trophies in the decade after his departure.
Facing His Former Club
Last Wednesday’s clash in Lisbon marked only the second official match between Mourinho and Real Madrid since 2013. His Benfica side delivered a comprehensive 4-2 victory over Álvaro Arbeloa’s struggling Madrid, dominating from the first minute to the last despite Madrid arriving on the back of three convincing wins.
The only previous encounter came in the 2017 UEFA Super Cup in Skopje, where Zinedine Zidane’s Champions League winners defeated Mourinho’s Manchester United 2-1 thanks to goals from Casemiro and Isco.
The Road Ahead
This recent defeat has serious implications for Madrid’s Champions League campaign. What should have been direct qualification to the last 16 has now become a play-in round against Benfica – the same Eagles who secured their own qualification thanks to a dramatic 98th-minute goal from goalkeeper Trubin during Madrid’s Lisbon nightmare.
The return leg at the Bernabéu in late February will be Mourinho’s first time back at his former home ground. He’ll face Arbeloa, one of his self-described “disciples” and inheritor of “Mourinhismo” at Real Madrid following Xabi Alonso’s frustrated adventure.
Mourinho’s Journey Since Madrid
The Portuguese manager has had a mixed bag since leaving the Spanish capital:
- Premier League stints with Chelsea (winning the league and League Cup), Manchester United (Europa League, League Cup, Community Shield), and a trophy-less spell at Tottenham
- Time in Italy with Roma, winning the Conference League in 2022
- Brief spell at Fenerbahçe before joining Benfica
Now in what appears to be the twilight of his illustrious career, Mourinho returns to the Bernabéu with history favoring his Benfica side – they’ve previously won both a final and a knockout tie against Madrid, plus this recent victory.
The Bernabéu faithful will likely show their former manager respect and affection… right up until the opening whistle. After that, as they say in the East End, it’s every man for his Jack Jones.