Mourinho denies mega Benfica salary, says he's 'in the red' after returning to Lisbon

Jose Mourinho has dismissed reports that he is earning about £15 million per year at Benfica, saying he is 'in the red' after returning to the club where he began his managerial career. The 62-year-old was unveiled as Benfica's new manager last week on a two-year contract after leaving Fenerbahce, who sacked him following their failure to reach the Champions League. He replaces Bruno Lage in Lisbon and begins his 12th managerial posting across 10 clubs, entering a new chapter with a club he has long admired.

Mourinho pushed back on suggestions of a near-£30 million two-season deal, insisting the figures circulating were not accurate and that his finances are not the driving force behind the move. He said: "If I had stayed at home until the end of the season, I would have earned more than I did at Benfica. It's that simple. I’m not even here for nothing; I’m in the red. And why? Because I really enjoy working. I missed playing for what Benfica is playing for: for the title. I couldn't do that in Rome, nor at Fenerbahce. It's a unique opportunity for me as a coach and as a person. Staying at home is not for me." The coach also pointed to family considerations, suggesting that time away from home would not have produced a better financial outcome.

Mourinho has begun his return with four points from his first two Portuguese league matches, a modest start but one that has left Benfica hopeful he can marshal a title push this season. He has stressed that success on the field matters more than any pay packet, noting that "putting myself to the test, taking risks, being subject to winning, losing, being very good one day and terrible the next" are the aspects that keep him inspired in the dugout. He added that the challenge of guiding Benfica back to glory was a stronger lure than any financial incentive.

Despite the salary talk, there is no certainty Mourinho will see out the full two years of his contract. A termination clause surfaced in reports last week, detailing an initial 10-day window after the end of the current season during which either party can terminate the deal with Benfica incurring notably lower costs. If Mourinho were to resign, it is described as the equivalent liability to the club. The clause highlights the practical risk in any high-profile reunion and underscores the reality that a long-term stay is not guaranteed, regardless of the public perception around the terms of his deal.

Throughout his career, Mourinho has collected a cabinet of silverware across Europe, including the Champions League with Porto, Premier League titles in his first spell at Chelsea, and trophies with Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Roma. His return to Benfica marks another chapter in a storied career, one driven as much by competitive appetite and personal affinity for the club as by any monetary calculation. He emphasized that his commitment is rooted in challenge, accountability, and the pursuit of achievement, rather than a numbers-driven calculation alone, signaling that this stint at Benfica could be defined as much by ambition as by any perceived salary figures.

As Benfica screens his plans for the upcoming seasons, the club and supporters will be watching not just for results, but for whether Mourinho’s passion for the project translates into a sustained, long-term contribution. For now, the focus remains on the early phase of his second stint in Lisbon, where the goal remains the same: restore Benfica to the pinnacle of Portuguese football and compete for European accolades, while the financial details that sparked so much speculation recede into the background of the day-to-day grind of management.