Jose Mourinho: New Benfica boss does not ‘expect to be applauded’ on FC Porto reunion after comments at unveiling

Jose Mourinho does not “expect to be applauded” when he returns to FC Porto to face his former side as Benfica manager.

Despite the success he brought to Porto, Mourinho does not expect a warm welcome when his new team travels to the Estadio do Dragao in the league next month.

“I played at the Dragao while in charge of Chelsea, and I wasn’t applauded at all, let alone going to the Dragao as Benfica’s coach, but it’s part of life.

“FC Porto is a very important part of my history, and I am a very important part of FC Porto’s history. FC Porto wants to win, we want to win, there’s no more history.”

Mourinho’s chances of a pleasant reception took a dent on Thursday following comments he made during his unveiling as Benfica boss.

Having started his coaching career at the Lisbon club in 2000, the 62-year-old said no club he has managed before had “motivated me more than being Benfica’s coach”.

The Portuguese manager reportedly infuriated Porto supporters with these comments, having received a standing ovation when he attended their victory over Nacional just days earlier.

But he has since looked to cool temperatures ahead of his upcoming visit, insisting he has not joined Benfica to “wage war” on his former side.

Mourinho said: “I don’t think they (Porto and Sporting) will be upset if I say that after joining Benfica, I spoke with (Porto) president (Andre) Villas-Boas and president (Frederico) Varandas of Sporting.

“If we have a good relationship, if we’re friends and respect each other, the fact that I’m Benfica coach doesn’t mean I’ve come here to wage war.”

“I didn’t come to Benfica to upset Porto. I came to Benfica to enjoy the opportunity to once again coach a club with winning ambitions at a high level. I didn’t come to upset anyone.

“By saying that Benfica is one of the biggest clubs in the world, I’m not saying that Porto isn’t.

“If someone asks me if Porto is one of the biggest clubs in the world, I’d say yes. If someone asks me if Porto is a giant club, I’d say yes. If someone asks me if I, not being Benfica’s coach, have a special affection for Porto, I’d say yes.”

Benfica’s visit to the Dragao is not the only eye-catching return for Mourinho in the coming weeks, with his side making the trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the Champions League at the end of September.

His latest managerial tenure kicked off with a 3-0 victory in the league away against AVS on Saturday.

Benfica are currently second in Primeira Liga, five points behind Porto, who have won all six of their matches so far, but with a game in hand.