'I'm more selfless and less self-centred' - Mourinho gives first words as Benfica coach

Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, unveiled on Thursday as the new manager of Benfica, stated at his introductory press conference that he has never felt more honoured or motivated at any other club than at the Lisbon side.

"None of the other giant clubs I've had the opportunity to manage made me feel more honoured, with more responsibility, more motivated than being manager of Benfica," said Mourinho, 62, who claimed he feels "more alive than ever."

The Setubal native returns to Benfica 25 years later and explained that he has changed in that time.

"I am more selfless, I am less self-centred, I think less about myself, I think more about the good I can do for others, the joy I can give to others. I am not important, Benfica is important, the Benfica fans are important," he added.

Asked what he would say to the Mourinho of a quarter of a century ago, he had no hesitation in replying that he would tell him that "he did well" in the way he has managed his professional career, and although he admitted that he may have made mistakes, "things went well."

Mourinho has signed a two-year contract with Benfica in what he described as an "ethical" deal that includes the possibility of termination in one year. For the coach, this is enough time "to win competitions."

Regarding his most immediate challenge, which is Saturday's match against AVS in the Portuguese League, he noted that half of the Benfica players are in their second day of recovery and that he cannot change "everything at the same time" after Tuesday's defeat in the Champions League against Qarabag of Azerbaijan.

"We have to go onto the pitch knowing that we are not just 11, that we are many millions and think of them," he added. "From a tactical point of view, I am going to dip my toe in, but very carefully, I don't want to distort the essence, and I am not able to change much. And in all honesty, many things were done well by my predecessor."

Mourinho replaces Bruno Lage in the Benfica dugout, who was sacked after the defeat on Tuesday against Qarabag and after drawing against Santa Clara in the domestic league last weekend.

Mourinho himself was recently sacked by Turkish side Fenerbahce after missing out on the Champions League following a 1-0 defeat against Benfica in the final qualifying round.

The coach returns to lead Benfica 25 years later and after having managed clubs such as Real Madrid, Tottenham, Roma, Chelsea and Manchester United.

His honours include two Champions Leagues with Inter Milan and Porto, a Europa League with Manchester United, a Conference League with Roma and a UEFA Cup with Porto. In addition, he won a Spanish League title with Real Madrid, three Premier Leagues with Chelsea and two 'Scudetti' with Inter.

Mourinho returns to Portugal, where he managed Porto between 2002 and 2004, Uniao Leiria between 2001 and 2002 and Benfica in 2000.