The world of football is never short of a surprising story, and a new one is brewing that could have a fascinating connection to Newcastle United.
It involves one of the most famous and charismatic managers in the history of the sport: Jose Mourinho.
The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ has a long and well-documented affection for the Magpies, a sentiment that began during his time working as a translator and assistant for the legendary Sir Bobby Robson.
Over the years, he has consistently spoken with great warmth about the club, the city, and its passionate supporters.
This mutual respect has often led to speculation that Mourinho could one day take the helm as manager at St James’ Park.
While that particular move seems very unlikely with Eddie Howe firmly in charge and having cemented his own legendary status by ending the club’s long trophy drought, there is now a distinct possibility that Jose Mourinho could be returning to Tyneside much sooner than anyone expected, and in a very different capacity.
The story begins with Mourinho’s recent departure from Turkish club Fenerbahce. After a short stint that ended without Champions League qualification, the 62-year-old manager found himself without a team.
However, the managerial merry-go-round waits for no one. The opening night of the Champions League group stage produced a major shock when Portuguese giants Benfica, after throwing away a two-goal lead to lose to Qarabag, decided to part ways with their manager, Bruno Lage.
This sudden vacancy has opened a door for Mourinho. According to top football journalists like Fabrizio Romano, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss is now in advanced talks to take over at Benfica.
An agreement is reportedly not far away, with Mourinho eager for a swift return to the dugout. This is where the story gets very interesting for Newcastle United fans.
As fate would have it, the Champions League group stage draw already placed Benfica and Newcastle in the same group. They are scheduled to face each other at St James’ Park on October 21st.
What was already a glamorous and difficult European fixture now has the potential to become a blockbuster event.
If Mourinho finalizes his move to Benfica, he will be the man in the opposing dugout, pacing the technical area and plotting Newcastle’s downfall.
This prospect adds a whole new layer of narrative to the match. Historically, St James’ Park has not been a happy hunting ground for Mourinho.
During his time managing in England with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham, he often found it difficult to get a result on Tyneside.
The electric atmosphere and the determined Newcastle teams he faced always made it a tough venue for him. It would be fascinating to see if that pattern continues.
The potential visit also brings back all the old rumors about Mourinho’s desire to one day manage Newcastle. It has been reported numerous times that he sees it as a dream job, a project he would love to lead.
There was even a story that Sir Bobby Robson himself had hoped Mourinho would eventually succeed him. While Eddie Howe’s incredible success has made those rumors irrelevant for the foreseeable future, the idea still captures the imagination.
So, while he may not be arriving as the home manager, the possibility of Jose Mourinho returning to St James’ Park as the boss of a European giant is a thrilling subplot.
It would be a moment filled with history, what-ifs, and the kind of dramatic tension that Mourinho himself seems to attract.
For one night in October, all eyes would be on Newcastle, not just for the football, but for the compelling story unfolding on the sidelines.
