Infinito Mourinho

History of Mourinho

The chronicle of the Special One

From interpreter under Bobby Robson to European champion with Porto and Inter, and back to the Bernabéu in 2026: every chapter of José Mourinho's career.

  1. 1992–1996 · Robson's right-hand man

    Sporting CP, FC Porto & Barcelona

    Trophies: 2× Primeira Liga, Cup Winners' Cup, Copa del Rey (as assistant)

    • Joined Bobby Robson at Sporting as interpreter and quickly became a trusted scout and analyst.
    • Followed Robson to FC Porto, where they won back-to-back Portuguese titles.
    • Moved with Robson to Barcelona in 1996, winning the Cup Winners' Cup and the Copa del Rey.
    • Dismissed as 'the translator' by some, he treated it as his coaching apprenticeship.

  2. 1997–2000 · Learning from Van Gaal

    Barcelona

    Trophies: 2× La Liga (as assistant)

    • Louis van Gaal kept him on as assistant after Robson left.
    • Van Gaal let him lead the team in some friendlies and cup games – his first taste of being in charge.
    • Absorbed Dutch positional play while sharpening his own obsession with transitions and opponent analysis.

  3. 2000 · First job as head coach

    Benfica

    Trophies: —

    • Took over Benfica in September 2000 and won a derby against Sporting 3-0.
    • When a new club president would not extend his contract, he walked away after only nine league games.
    • The short spell showed the uncompromising character that would define his career.

  4. 2001–2002 · The breakthrough

    União de Leiria

    Trophies: —

    • Turned a modest club into a side challenging for the top places with organised defending and sharp counter-attacks.
    • His success made him the most wanted young coach in Portugal; FC Porto hired him in January 2002.

  5. 2002–2004 · Conquering Europe

    FC Porto

    Trophies: Champions League, UEFA Cup, 2× Primeira Liga, Taça de Portugal

    • Arrived mid-season and promised the title the following year – then delivered a league, cup and UEFA Cup treble in 2003.
    • Built around Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and a ruthlessly organised block.
    • Knocked out Manchester United at Old Trafford with that famous touchline sprint.
    • Beat Monaco 3-0 in the 2004 Champions League final and left for Chelsea days later.

  6. 2004–2007 · The Special One

    Chelsea

    Trophies: 2× Premier League, FA Cup, 2× League Cup

    • Introduced himself as 'a special one' and won Chelsea's first league title in 50 years in his first season.
    • His 2004-05 side conceded just 15 league goals, a Premier League record.
    • Terry, Lampard, Drogba and Čech became the spine of a team that retained the title in 2006.
    • Left by mutual consent in September 2007 after disagreements with owner Roman Abramovich.

  7. 2008–2010 · The Italian treble

    Inter Milan

    Trophies: Champions League, 2× Serie A, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa

    • Won Serie A in his first season and impressed Italy by speaking fluent Italian from day one.
    • Signed Eto'o, Sneijder, Milito and Lúcio to build a team made for big nights.
    • Defended for their lives with ten men at Camp Nou to reach the 2010 final – 'the most beautiful defeat of my life'.
    • Beat Bayern 2-0 in Madrid to complete Italy's first treble, then left for Real Madrid.

  8. 2010–2013 · War with Guardiola's Barça

    Real Madrid

    Trophies: La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España

    • Hired to end Pep Guardiola's dominance; a 5-0 Clásico defeat in his first season only hardened his resolve.
    • Beat Barcelona in the 2011 Copa del Rey final with a Cristiano Ronaldo header in extra time.
    • Won the 2011-12 La Liga with a record 100 points and 121 goals.
    • Reached three straight Champions League semi-finals but left in 2013 after a season of dressing-room conflict.

  9. 2013–2015 · The Happy One returns

    Chelsea

    Trophies: Premier League, League Cup

    • Came back calling himself 'the happy one' and built a new side around Eden Hazard.
    • Won at Anfield in 2014 to derail Liverpool's title charge.
    • Added Fàbregas and Diego Costa and won the 2014-15 league and League Cup double.
    • Sacked in December 2015 after a collapse in form during the title defence.

  10. 2016–2018 · Rebuilding Old Trafford

    Manchester United

    Trophies: Europa League, League Cup, Community Shield

    • Signed Zlatan Ibrahimović and Paul Pogba and won three trophies in his first season.
    • The 2017 Europa League win brought United back into the Champions League.
    • Finished second in 2017-18, later calling it one of the best achievements of his career.
    • Sacked in December 2018 amid tension with players and a poor run of results.

  11. 2019–2021 · All or Nothing

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Trophies: —

    • Replaced Mauricio Pochettino in November 2019; his work was filmed for Amazon's 'All or Nothing'.
    • Harry Kane and Son Heung-min flourished as one of the deadliest partnerships in Europe.
    • Reached the 2021 League Cup final but was sacked six days before it was played.

  12. 2021–2024 · The emperor of Rome

    AS Roma

    Trophies: Europa Conference League

    • Won the first Europa Conference League in 2022 – Roma's first European trophy in over 60 years.
    • Became the first coach to win the Champions League, the UEFA Cup/Europa League and the Conference League.
    • Lost the 2023 Europa League final to Sevilla on penalties, his first defeat in a European final.
    • Dismissed in January 2024, leaving to murals and messages of thanks across the city.

  13. 2024–2025 · Istanbul fever

    Fenerbahçe

    Trophies: —

    • Welcomed to Istanbul by tens of thousands of fans with flares and chants.
    • Fought a fierce title race and war of words with Galatasaray, finishing second in the Süper Lig.
    • Left in August 2025 after losing a Champions League play-off to Benfica.

  14. 2025–2026 · Back where it began

    Benfica

    Trophies: —

    • Returned to Benfica in September 2025, a quarter of a century after his first job there – weeks after knocking out his Fenerbahçe side.
    • Went the whole 2025-26 league season unbeaten, yet missed out on the title.

  15. 2026– · The return to the Bernabéu

    Real Madrid

    Trophies: In progress

    • Returned to Real Madrid in July 2026, thirteen years after his first spell ended.
    • Took charge of a squad packed with superstars, with the Champions League as the obvious target.
    • The second chapter in Madrid is being written right now – follow it in the news and matches on this site.