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LISBON: Benfica appointed Jose Mourinho as their coach on Thursday, with the Portuguese returning to work in his homeland 21 years after leaving Porto for Chelsea.

The 62-year-old, who also coached Real Madrid and Manchester United among other clubs, was sacked by Turkish side Fenerbahce in August after Benfica beat them in the Champions League play-offs.

Mourinho has signed a contract “to run until the end of the 2026/27 season,” Benfica said in a statement, with an option for either party to end the deal at the end of the current campaign.

The two-time European champions sacked Bruno Lage after a shock defeat in their Champions League opener against Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag on Tuesday.

Mourinho will soon face reunions against former sides Chelsea and Porto, in the Champions League on September 30 and in the Primeira Liga on October 5 respectively.

“I come to Benfica at a different stage in my career, and as a person... we transform for the better,” Mourinho told reporters, sitting alongside Benfica president Rui Costa.

“I’m more altruistic, less self-centered, I think less about myself and more about the good I can do for others, the joy I can bring to others. I’m not the important thing — Benfica is important.”

After starting out his coaching career as an assistant to Bobby Robson and then Louis van Gaal at Barcelona, Mourinho made the step up to head coach at Benfica in September 2000.

He quit after just 11 matches and then, after impressing at Uniao de Leiria, he joined the Eagles’ fierce rivals Porto and guided them to back-to-back league titles and the Champions League crown in 2004.

That set him on the path to a successful career coaching Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid before his fortunes dived after joining Manchester United in 2016.

More modest stints then followed at Tottenham, Roma and Fenerbahce.

“In some people’s minds, I have two resumes — one that lasted a certain period and another that represents, let’s say, a less happy phase of my career,” said Mourinho.

“My misfortune is that in the last five years, I’ve played in two European finals. The negative part of my career... is two European finals in the last five years.”

- ‘My mission’ -

Mourinho won three Premier League titles across two spells at Chelsea, as well as the Champions League with Inter Milan in 2010, and a La Liga title with Real Madrid among other trophies.

However, since 2017, when he won the Europa League with Manchester United, Mourinho’s only silverware was the Conference League with Roma in 2022.

Mourinho’s first game at the helm of Benfica will be a visit to face AVS on Saturday in the top flight.

“It’s been 25 years in which I’ve had the opportunity to work for the biggest clubs in the world,” said Mourinho, of the time since he first departed Benfica.

“I’d like to say that none of the other giant clubs I’ve had the opportunity to coach have made me feel more honored, responsible, or motivated than being the coach of Benfica,” he added.

“The promise is very clear: I will live for Benfica, for my mission.”

Mourinho said he was more “mature” now than when he previously coached the club, and insisted his team had the quality to win the title.

Sporting Lisbon won the last two titles, with Benfica’s last triumph in 2023.

“Benfica have enough potential within that dressing room to be champions,” said Mourinho.

PARIS: Ligue 1 leader Paris Saint-Germain face their biggest rival Marseille at Parc des Princes on Sunday.

Marseille’s longstanding bragging rights as the only French side to win the Champions League finally ended when PSG won it in emphatic style last season. On the domestic front, PSG have pulled away from Marseille with 13 Ligue 1 titles compared to nine.

PSG have won their four league games so far.

“We know the importance of this match, for the fans and the club,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said. “It’s a strong rivalry.”

Marseille have improved under coach Roberto De Zerbi but the players still lack confidence and De Zerbi demanded they show more daring and ambition after Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Second-placed Lille are the only other unbeaten side and have a northern derby at Lens on Saturday.

Key matchups

Marseille captain Leonardo Balerdi could be in for a busy night, whoever he faces.

While it might be a relief that he doesn’t have to deal with injured stars Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, his performance in central defense is crucial to Marseille’s chances.

It’s a question of which Balerdi will turn up.

Will it be the combative and rugged Balerdi who did well in a man-marking role against Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé on Tuesday? Or the error-prone Balerdi who has given away clumsy goals since joining four years ago?

PSG defenders will keep a close eye on Marseille forward Mason Greenwood. He set up United States winger Tim Weah’s goal against Madrid and has two goals and three assists so far in Ligue 1.

Players to watch

Aladji Bamba is the latest player to come through Monaco’s reputed youth academy. The 19-year-old midfielder impressed on his first start last weekend in a win against Auxerre.

He is set to feature against Metz on Sunday, and could get more playing time in the next few weeks as former France star Paul Pogba works his way back to fitness.

Former Barcelona prodigy Ansu Fati could also make his Ligue 1 debut for Monaco.

Out of action

Monaco midfielder Denis Zakaria will miss several weeks with a thigh muscle injury.

Injury-hit PSG are waiting for further news on key midfielder João Neves after he limped off early in the second half of Wednesday’s 4-0 rout of Atalanta in the Champions League.

Off the field

Lens fans are still angry about heavy-handed policing before and after last Sunday’s game at Paris Saint-Germain.

Lens supporters’ groups complained about being surrounded by aggressive French riot police with baton shields raised when they arrived at a pre-designated area near Parc des Princes.

When other police officers came on to search the buses, Lens supporters said they were prevented from leaving the bus by the riot police — known as the CRS — who were outside. Women on board were not even allowed to step out to use the toilet when they asked.

Tensions boiled over and led to brief but violent clashes.

“The club wishes to express their deep concern about the conditions reserved for football supporters,” Lens said in a statement. “Respect for supporters and the preservation of a peaceful atmosphere in stadiums requires clear rules applied consistently.”

Lens do not have a history of hooliganism and fans expressed outrage at their treatment.

The French riot police were roundly criticized for their aggressive behavior before the 2022 Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.