José Mourinho, full name José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix, was born on January 26, 1963, in Setúbal, Portugal. He is a Portuguese football manager known by the nickname "The Special One." He has managed clubs including Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Roma, and Fenerbahçe. He won the UEFA Champions League with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010, along with national league championships in Portugal, England, Italy, and Spain. After leaving Fenerbahçe in August 2025, he returned to Benfica before being appointed Real Madrid manager for a second time in June 2026.

Early Life and Education

José Mourinho was born in Setúbal, Portugal. His father, José Manuel Mourinho Félix, known as Félix Mourinho, was a professional goalkeeper who later became a football manager. His mother, Maria Júlia Carrajola dos Santos, was a primary school teacher.

Growing up in a football family, Mourinho initially wanted to become a professional player. He played for the youth and reserve teams of clubs including Rio Ave, Belenenses, and Sesimbra, but did not establish a career at the highest professional level.

He subsequently concentrated on coaching. He studied physical education at the Technical University of Lisbon and completed his training in sports science. He began working as a physical education teacher and youth football coach.

Mourinho speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish, and Italian, and developed proficiency in Catalan while working in Barcelona.

Coaching Career and Bobby Robson

During the early 1990s, José Mourinho worked with youth teams and as an assistant coach. In 1992, he joined English manager Bobby Robson at Sporting CP, initially working as an interpreter while gradually taking on coaching responsibilities.

Robson subsequently moved to Porto and Barcelona, taking Mourinho with him. The two worked together on training sessions, match preparation, and tactical analysis.

After Robson's departure from Barcelona, Mourinho remained at the club and worked under Dutch manager Louis van Gaal. During this period, Barcelona won two consecutive Spanish league championships.

In 2000, Mourinho began his independent senior managerial career with Benfica. He left after a short period following disagreements with the club's management and subsequently took charge of União de Leiria in 2001.

Porto and the UEFA Champions League

In January 2002, José Mourinho was appointed manager of FC Porto. During the 2002–2003 season, he led the club to the Portuguese league championship, the Portuguese Cup, and the UEFA Cup.

The following season, Porto retained the Portuguese league title and won the 2004 UEFA Champions League, defeating AS Monaco 3–0 in the final.

These results established Mourinho's reputation in European football and led to his appointment at Chelsea in June 2004.

Chelsea and Premier League Championships

José Mourinho joined Chelsea in 2004, when the club was owned by Russian businessman Roman Abramovich. At his introductory press conference, Mourinho described himself as "a special one," a phrase that became associated with his public image.

In his first season, Chelsea won the 2004–2005 Premier League title with 95 points, ending the club's 50-year wait for an English league championship. The team retained the title in 2005–2006.

Chelsea also won the League Cup in 2005 and 2007, and the FA Cup in 2007.

Mourinho's relationship with Abramovich became strained during his third season, partly over transfer decisions and the use of players such as Andriy Shevchenko. He left Chelsea in September 2007.

He returned to Chelsea in June 2013 and won another Premier League title in the 2014–2015 season, along with the League Cup. His second spell ended in December 2015.

Inter Milan and the Historic Treble

On June 2, 2008, José Mourinho was appointed manager of Italian club Inter Milan.

During his first season, Inter won the Italian Super Cup and the Serie A championship. The club retained the league title the following season.

In 2009–2010, Mourinho led Inter to a historic treble, winning Serie A, the Italian Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. Inter defeated Bayern Munich 2–0 in the Champions League final, with both goals scored by Diego Milito.

Mourinho left Inter in May 2010 after winning the Champions League.

Real Madrid: First Period (2010–2013)

In May 2010, José Mourinho agreed to become manager of Real Madrid. He officially began his first spell at the Spanish club that summer.

During his first season, Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey by defeating Barcelona in the final. Players signed during this period included Mesut Özil, Sami Khedira, Ángel Di María, and Ricardo Carvalho.

In the 2011–2012 season, Mourinho led Real Madrid to the La Liga championship with a then-record 100 points and 121 league goals. The club also won the Spanish Super Cup in 2012.

His time in Madrid included frequent confrontations with Barcelona, then managed by Pep Guardiola, and disagreements with members of the Spanish media and Real Madrid squad.

He left Real Madrid in June 2013 by mutual agreement.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur

On May 27, 2016, José Mourinho was appointed manager of Manchester United, signing a three-year contract.

During the 2016–2017 season, United won the EFL Cup and the UEFA Europa League, defeating Ajax 2–0 in the Europa League final. The club also won the FA Community Shield in 2016.

Mourinho guided Manchester United to second place in the Premier League in the 2017–2018 season. He was dismissed on December 18, 2018, following a difficult start to the next season.

On November 20, 2019, he became manager of Tottenham Hotspur. He led the club to the 2021 League Cup final but was dismissed on April 19, 2021, shortly before the match.

Roma and the UEFA Conference League

On May 4, 2021, AS Roma announced that José Mourinho would become the club's manager for the 2021–2022 season.

In his first season, he led Roma to victory in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League. Roma defeated Feyenoord 1–0 in the final on May 25, 2022.

The following season, Roma reached the UEFA Europa League final but lost to Sevilla on penalties.

Roma dismissed Mourinho on January 16, 2024.

Fenerbahçe (2024–2025)

On June 2, 2024, José Mourinho arrived in Istanbul and was introduced as the new manager of Fenerbahçe. He signed a two-year agreement with the Turkish club.

During the 2024–2025 season, Fenerbahçe finished second in the Turkish Süper Lig behind Galatasaray. The team also competed in the UEFA Europa League, reaching the round of 16.

Mourinho's time in Turkey included disagreements with referees, football officials, and rival managers. His statements and conduct during derby matches attracted disciplinary attention.

On August 29, 2025, Fenerbahçe announced that it had parted ways with Mourinho. The decision followed the club's elimination by Benfica in the UEFA Champions League qualifying play-offs.

He managed Fenerbahçe in 62 official matches, recording 37 wins, 14 draws, and 11 defeats.

Benfica and Return to Real Madrid

On September 18, 2025, José Mourinho returned to Benfica as head coach, twenty-five years after his first spell with the Portuguese club.

During the 2025–2026 season, Benfica finished third in the Portuguese league without losing a league match. Mourinho managed the club in 45 official matches across all competitions.

On June 9, 2026, Benfica announced that Real Madrid had agreed to pay the €15 million release clause in Mourinho's contract.

On June 11, 2026, Real Madrid officially announced his appointment as head coach for a second time. He signed a three-year contract running until June 30, 2029, and returned to the Spanish club for the 2026–2027 season.

Coaching Style and Public Statements

José Mourinho is associated with detailed tactical preparation, defensive organization, pressing strategies, and rapid transitions from defense to attack. His teams have frequently adapted their playing style to the strengths and weaknesses of opponents.

He is also known for his direct statements during press conferences and his public responses to criticism.

One of the remarks attributed to Mourinho expresses his confidence in his coaching abilities:

"I am not the best manager in the world, but there is no manager better than me."

Personal Life

José Mourinho married Matilde Faria in 1989. They have two children, Matilde Mourinho and José Mário Mourinho Jr..

His son pursued a career in football, playing as a goalkeeper in youth teams. Mourinho has generally kept his family life separate from his professional activities.

Major Coaching Honours

2003 - Primeira Liga Champion (Porto)
2003 - Portuguese Cup Winner (Porto)
2003 - UEFA Cup Winner (Porto)
2004 - Primeira Liga Champion (Porto)
2004 - UEFA Champions League Winner (Porto)
2005 - Premier League Champion (Chelsea)
2005 - English League Cup Winner (Chelsea)
2006 - Premier League Champion (Chelsea)
2007 - FA Cup Winner (Chelsea)
2007 - English League Cup Winner (Chelsea)
2008 - Italian Super Cup Winner (Inter Milan)
2009 - Serie A Champion (Inter Milan)
2010 - Serie A Champion (Inter Milan)
2010 - Coppa Italia Winner (Inter Milan)
2010 - UEFA Champions League Winner (Inter Milan)
2011 - Copa del Rey Winner (Real Madrid)
2012 - La Liga Champion (Real Madrid)
2012 - Spanish Super Cup Winner (Real Madrid)
2015 - Premier League Champion (Chelsea)
2015 - English League Cup Winner (Chelsea)
2016 - FA Community Shield Winner (Manchester United)
2017 - English League Cup Winner (Manchester United)
2017 - UEFA Europa League Winner (Manchester United)
2022 - UEFA Europa Conference League Winner (Roma)

Individual Awards

2003 - UEFA Club Coach of the Year
2004 - UEFA Club Coach of the Year
2004 - IFFHS World's Best Club Coach
2005 - IFFHS World's Best Club Coach
2005 - Premier League Manager of the Season
2006 - Premier League Manager of the Season
2010 - FIFA World Coach of the Year
2010 - IFFHS World's Best Club Coach
2012 - IFFHS World's Best Club Coach
2015 - Premier League Manager of the Season

Playing Career

1980–1982 - Rio Ave
1982–1983 - Belenenses
1983–1985 - Sesimbra
1985–1987 - Comércio e Indústria

Coaching Career

1992–1993 - Sporting CP (Assistant Coach and Interpreter)
1993–1996 - FC Porto (Assistant Coach)
1996–2000 - FC Barcelona (Assistant Coach)
2000 - Benfica (Head Coach)
2001–2002 - União de Leiria (Head Coach)
2002–2004 - FC Porto (Head Coach)
2004–2007 - Chelsea (Head Coach)
2008–2010 - Inter Milan (Head Coach)
2010–2013 - Real Madrid (Head Coach)
2013–2015 - Chelsea (Head Coach)
2016–2018 - Manchester United (Head Coach)
2019–2021 - Tottenham Hotspur (Head Coach)
2021–2024 - AS Roma (Head Coach)
2024–2025 - Fenerbahçe (Head Coach)
2025–2026 - Benfica (Head Coach)
2026–Present - Real Madrid (Head Coach)

Source: Biyografiler.com