ZEKEY MEDIA ONLINE

Melody Pande

Is Jose Mourinho Still ‘The Special One’?
Jose Mourinho recently orchestrated a memorable victory for Benfica against Real Madrid, propelling the team into the UEFA Champions League play-offs. Such a feat against one of the biggest clubs in the world underscores why he has long been regarded as ‘The Special One.’ Football enthusiasts remember Mourinho as a transformative figure, especially after his triumph with Porto in the Champions League, a remarkable achievement that established his legacy. Winning against Real Madrid in a prestigious tournament like the Champions League is no small feat and reinforces the notion of Mourinho’s lasting impact on the sport.
Mourinho’s accolades are impressive: eight league titles, two UEFA Champions League titles, one UEFA Cup, one UEFA Europa League title, one UEFA Conference League title, and eight domestic cups. He is the first manager to have won all three major European club competitions and the only one to hold winner’s medals from every European cup competition, including the European Cup Winners’ Cup, which he won as an assistant at Barcelona. While the moniker ‘The Special One’ remains relevant, some argue that its luster has diminished over time.

However, Mourinho’s unwavering approach may have hindered his ability to adapt to modern football. Despite his historic successes, his recent tenures at various clubs have not mirrored his earlier triumphs. Most notably, he was dismissed from Roma, where the management had invested heavily in both the squad and in Mourinho himself, making him the second-highest-paid manager in Serie A. They anticipated that this investment would ensure consistent Champions League participation, ultimately boosting revenue through prize money and commercial partnerships. Instead, the team finished sixth in his first two seasons, despite winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2021-22 and reaching the Europa League final the following year—outcomes deemed insufficient by the club’s leadership.
Mourinho faced further challenges during a turbulent spell at Fenerbahçe, where his time ended in disappointment a little over a year after his high-profile arrival. His tenure unraveled amid criticisms of underperformance in both domestic and European competitions. He was let go after just two matches into the 2025-26 Süper Lig season following a narrow defeat to Benfica that dashed their Champions League aspirations.
Fast forward to September 2025, Mourinho was reappointed by Benfica, signing a two-year contract. Currently, Benfica remains the only undefeated team in Liga Portugal. Whether Mourinho still embodies the essence of ‘The Special One’ is a question that invites diverse opinions. Ultimately, the judgment rests with the observers of the beautiful game.