Jose Mourinho’s return to the Estádio do Dragão, the home ground of FC Porto, as manager of rival club SL Benfica, immediately sparked intense reactions and violent clashes among supporters. The highly anticipated match, played on October 6, saw the two Portuguese giants draw 1-1 at the top of the Primeira Liga standings, but the football was overshadowed by the hostile atmosphere.
Upon Mourinho’s appearance, sections of the Porto faithful erupted in fury. Supporters hurled various objects onto the pitch, many seemingly aimed directly at the 62-year-old manager, famously known as “The Special One.” Despite the barrage of projectiles and vocal abuse, Mourinho maintained his composure, collecting some of the discarded items as he walked towards the dressing room without engaging in any form of retaliation.
This marked Mourinho’s first visit to Porto’s home stadium since his departure in 2004, a year after he famously led the club to an unexpected UEFA Champions League triumph. His return, however, as the manager of their fierce rivals, Benfica, was viewed by many Porto fans as an unforgivable act of betrayal.
1. **The hostility was palpable.** The disappointment and anger among the Porto supporters were palpable. They displayed banners expressing their disillusionment, with messages suggesting Mourinho was no longer ‘Special’ to them or a heroic figure, and even questioning his continued claim to the moniker “The Special One.” Ridicule was heaped upon the Portuguese manager throughout the evening.
2. **Escalation and Investigation.** The volatile situation escalated beyond mere verbal abuse. Reports indicate that flares and other incendiary objects were thrown onto the pitch from the stands, leading to direct confrontations between opposing fan groups. Security personnel were overwhelmed at times, resulting in numerous arrests and a significant increase in their presence to quell the disturbances.
Following the tumultuous match, the former manager of Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur retreated to the dressing room. He reportedly declined to offer any comments regarding the escalating tensions or the extreme reactions from the fans. The widespread sentiment was captured by one fan’s comment on X (formerly Twitter), who stated that the clash between Benfica and Porto felt less like a football match and more like “a war between fans because of Mourinho.”
In the aftermath, Portuguese league authorities announced a formal investigation into the violence. Both FC Porto and SL Benfica are expected to face potential penalties for their inability to control the conduct of their supporters.
3. **Mourinho’s Benfica Ambition.** Mourinho took office at Benfica in September, following the conclusion of his tenure at Fenerbahçe. Upon his appointment, he pledged to lead the Lisbon-based club to victory in the Primeira Liga championship, a promise that now undoubtedly comes with added layers of intensity and scrutiny, particularly in clashes against his former club.
