José Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge with Benfica on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, was met with a warm reception from Chelsea fans. This marked his first return to the club since taking charge of Benfica.

Mourinho, who had two successful spells as Chelsea manager, winning three Premier League titles, three League Cups, and the FA Cup, is a revered figure at the club. Before the match, Mourinho acknowledged his special connection with Chelsea, stating, "Of course, I will always be a Blue. I am part of their history and they are part of my history. I helped them to become a bigger Chelsea and they helped me to become a bigger Jose". He also declared himself "the biggest one" in Chelsea's managerial history until someone wins four league titles.

Despite now managing Benfica, Mourinho's affection for Chelsea remains evident. He anticipates a positive reception from the Chelsea faithful, saying that he is often approached by them for "pictures and autographs".

During the match, Chelsea fans were heard singing Mourinho's name just a couple of minutes into the game. Mourinho responded to the warm reception by blowing kisses to the home fans.

The match itself saw Chelsea take an early lead, with Benfica scoring an own goal.

Mourinho's return adds an intriguing layer to the Champions League clash, with the "Special One" hoping his Benfica side can cause an upset against his former club. Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged the "privilege" of facing Mourinho.