Memories aren’t enough, only victory matters: Mourinho after Chelsea defeat

Jose Mourinho insisted that fond memories of his trophy-laden Chelsea years were not enough to satisfy him after Benfica fell 1-0 on his return to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Tuesday. But even in defeat, the 62-year-old admitted he could see himself coming back to the stadium two decades from now—this time with his grandchildren.

"Hopefully I come back here in 20 years with my grandkids," Mourinho said. "They belong to my history and I belong to their history."

It was an emotional night for the Portuguese manager, who was greeted with warm applause and chants of "Jose Mourinho" from Chelsea supporters. Time has healed the wounds of his controversial spells at Manchester United and Tottenham, and the home crowd instead remembered the three Premier League titles and seven major trophies he delivered across two spells in west London.

Mourinho, however, refused to take comfort from the ovation. "I don't feed myself with these memories," he said. "I feed myself with victories. On the pitch I was focused on the game. I thank the fans—it's a relationship for ever—but the result is what matters."

The match itself was settled by an unfortunate Richard Rios own goal in the 18th minute, handing Benfica their first defeat since Mourinho took charge four games ago. Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, also had substitute Joao Pedro sent off late on—making it three red cards in four games—but clung on for a much-needed first Champions League win of the season.

Mourinho's latest touchline dash was not a celebration but an intervention, urging Benfica's fans to stop throwing objects onto the pitch. It was a quieter return than the touchline sprints and knee slides that once defined his glory days, but it was still a reminder of his enduring connection with Stamford Bridge.

From Porto's 2004 Champions League triumph to Chelsea's long-awaited league titles, from Inter's European glory to stints with Real Madrid, United, Spurs, Roma and Fenerbahce, Mourinho's journey has taken him far. Yet on Tuesday, he was reminded again of the place where his legend was forged.

And while victory eluded him this time, Mourinho left with a thought for the future—one day walking back through the Stamford Bridge gates, not as a rival manager, but as a grandfather revisiting history.