The Special One's Journey: Duration and impact of Jose Mourinho’s stay at every club he managed to this point

Mourinho celebrates winning the Premier League title with Chelsea || Getty

The Special One's Journey: Duration and impact of Jose Mourinho’s stay at every club he managed to this point

Kolawole Babatunde 18:05 - 16.01.2024

Jose Mourinho's recent departure from AS Roma marks another chapter in his illustrious coaching career. We take a look at his journey over the years, from time spent at each club to his achievements with them.

Known for his tactical acumen and charismatic personality, Mourinho has managed several top clubs across Europe, leaving a significant impact at each. The Portuguese coined the nickname ‘The Special One’ when he first moved to England in 2004. He has since lived up to the hype, producing iconic moments while attaining superstar status as manager. 

Here is how the iconic Mourinho has journeyed through his career as a manager, taking into account how long he spent at each club and the trophies he won. 

Jose Mourinho was a PE teacher before becoming a manager || Empics

Benfica (September 2000–December 2000)

Mourinho's first managerial role at a major club was with Benfica. His tenure was brief, lasting only a few months due to a change in leadership at the club. He managed 11 games, winning six, with three draws and two defeats. 

União de Leiria (July 2001–January 2002)

At União de Leiria, Mourinho demonstrated his potential as a manager, leading the team to impressive performances in the Portuguese league during his seven months in charge. He managed 23 games, recorded eight matches unbeaten in the league, and had the team in fourth place before he left for a bigger job. 

Porto (January 2002–June 2004)

Mourinho announced himself on the big stage with a Champions League title at Porto

Mourinho's time at Porto put him on the global map. He won the Primeira Liga twice, a Taça de Portugal, the UEFA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. His success with Porto showcased his exceptional tactical prowess and ability to win major titles. It was after the UCL triumph with Porto that the big clubs came calling, and he chose Chelsea.

Chelsea (July 2004–September 2007; June 2013–December 2015)

Jose Mourinho was successful in his first stint with Chelsea after arriving in 2004

Mourinho had two spells at Chelsea. In his first stint, he won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and two League Cups. He returned in 2013 to add another Premier League title to his Chelsea legacy. It was during his first tenure at Chelsea he stepped into his iconic self, delivering several quotes while also setting several records. However, his second tenure was not as successful as the first despite winning the league.  

Inter Milan (June 2008–June 2010)

Jose Mourinho lifts the Champions League with Inter Milan | Imago

At Inter Milan, Mourinho achieved a historic treble, winning Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League in 2010. His tenure at Inter further cemented his status as one of the top coaches in world football.

Real Madrid (July 2010–June 2013)

Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid

Mourinho's spell at Real Madrid was notable for winning La Liga in 2011–12 with a record points tally. He also won the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España during his time there. Mourinho tagged his last season at Madrid, which was 2012–13  as "the worst of my career". He left at the end of that season by mutual agreement. 

Manchester United (May 2016–December 2018)

Jose Mourinho at Manchester United || Image credit: Imago

After a three-year hiatus, Mourinho joined Manchester United, where he won the EFL Cup, the FA Community Shield, and the UEFA Europa League. His tenure here demonstrated his ability to secure titles in different footballing environments. Despite winning a number of trophies with the Red Devils, he had several clashes with the fans and the hierarchy. 

Tottenham Hotspur (November 2019–April 2021)

Mourinho endured a torrid spell with Tottenham Hotspur

Mourinho's time at Tottenham Hotspur was a period of rebuilding and restructuring. Although he did not win any major trophies, he helped stabilize the club and laid the groundwork for future success. He was fired after 17 months in charge of the club, days before the EFL Cup Final against Manchester City. Spurs were the first club at which Mou failed to win a trophy since 2002. 

Roma (July 2021 - January 2024)

Mourinho won the UEFA Europa Conference League with Roma in his first season. (Photo Credit: Imago)

Mourinho's latest venture was with AS Roma. Here, he worked on building a competitive team, aiming to challenge the dominance of Serie A's top clubs. Though his tenure saw ups and downs, it was part of his continuous journey in top-tier European football. He ended Roma’s 11-year trophy drought by winning the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League. He made back-to-back European finals by getting into the 2023 Europa League final, where he lost to Sevilla.

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