Jose Mourinho's telling gesture to Chelsea fans as emotional return edges closer

Jose Mourinho is preparing for another return to Chelsea, hoping for a more successful reunion than his previous ones. The ex-Blues and Manchester United coach is on the brink of securing yet another managerial role.

Portuguese outfit Benfica are in discussions with Mourinho about the possibility of him taking over from Bruno Lage, who was given his marching orders following their Champions League loss to Qarabag. If talks go well, Mourinho will be back in the hot seat swiftly after parting ways with Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce earlier this season.

But it's not just management that Mourinho will be returning to – he's also set to make a comeback to Stamford Bridge with Benfica due to play in west London in the Champions League on 30 September.

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The sight of him patrolling the Stamford Bridge touchline will evoke memories of his previous returns, which were met with a less than warm welcome by Chelsea supporters in 2018.

After being jeered, Mourinho – then at Manchester United – held up three fingers to symbolise the three Premier League titles he won as Chelsea manager. Explaining his actions, Mourinho said: "Treated with respect? I don't think.

"It's not my responsibility. I have a certain level of education socially and in sport and what I did here today I will do in Madrid, Porto, Milan. I will behave always the same way. But the reaction of the fans is up to them, not up to me."

It wasn't the first occasion that Mourinho had made the gesture. Following another hostile reception during an FA Cup clash between the two sides the previous season, he raised three fingers towards supporters in the stands.

"They can call me what they want," Mourinho said of the abuse he received. "I am a professional. I defend my club. Until the moment they have a manager that wins four Premier Leagues for them, I'm the No. 1.

"When they have somebody who wins four Premier Leagues for them, I'll be No. 2. For this moment, 'Judas' is No. 1."

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While another journey to Stamford Bridge might be occupying Mourinho's thoughts, he has numerous matters to address beforehand.

He could potentially begin his Benfica tenure this weekend as the Portuguese outfit face AVS Futebol, while Rio Ave and Gil Vicente are their upcoming oppnents before Benfica's Champions League encounter with Chelsea.

Meanwhile, the Blues face a hectic fixture list ahead of potentially welcoming Mourinho back to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea tackle Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening before meetings with Manchester United, Lincoln City and Brighton.

Since departing Chelsea for the second time, Mourinho has enjoyed stints with United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma and Fenerbahce.

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