Jose Mourinho is returning to the sidelines for his second stint as Benfica manager, the Portuguese Primeira Liga soccer franchise announced Thursday.

Jose Mourinho is set to take over for his second stint as Benfica manager. Photo by Filip Singer/EPA-EFE UPI

Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Jose Mourinho is returning to the sidelines for his second stint as Benfica manager, the Portuguese Primeira Liga soccer franchise announced Thursday.

The Eagles, who fired coach Bruno Lage after a 3-2 loss to Qarabag FK on Tuesday in the Champions League, sit in sixth place in the Primeira Liga standings.

"I've worked at the biggest clubs in the world and none of them made me feel a greater sense of honor, responsibility and motivation than I do now, as Benfica coach," Mourinho told reporters.

Mourinho's contract includes a mutual option for 2026-27.

Turkish Super Lig club Fenerbahce fired Mourinho in August. The 62-year-old took over as Fenerbahce coach in July 2024. That move came after Benfica beat Fenerbahce in the Champions League qualification playoffs. The Yellow Canaries finished second in the 2024-25 Super Lig standings.

Mourinho, one of the most-decorated managers in soccer history, won league championships in four countries and is the only manager to win all three UEFA club competitions. He started his coaching tenure in 1996 as an assistant at Barcelona. He went on to take over at Benfica in 2000.

Mourinho also managed Uniao de Leiria and Porto before taking over at Chelsea in 2004. He later manned the sidelines for Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Roma.

"We wanted him to be a winning coach, with a winning resume, and it would be difficult to find a more extensive resume than the one we have here today at Benfica's disposal," Benfica president Rui Costa said.

The Eagles (3-0-1) will host 15th-place Rio Ave (0-1-3) at 3:15 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Lisbon.