Benfica manager Jose Mourinho believes a long-awaited victory in the English League Cup, which ended Newcastle’s trophy drought, will fuel the north-east side to even greater success.
The veteran Portuguese boss has a great fondness for the Magpies, as the club was supported – and then coached – by the late Bobby Robson, his managerial mentor at Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona.
Asked how former England manager Robson would have reacted to last season’s League Cup final victory over Liverpool, which ended a 70-year wait for Newcastle, Mourinho replied on Monday: «Sir Bobby is a legend here and when you are a legend in England there are many reasons to be a legend.»
Mourinho added: «He loved this club, he gave everything to this club. Of course he would be so happy with that win in the (League) Cup. I was so happy with that win.»
READ ALSO | Bayern Munich extends coach Kompany’s contract until 2029
«I know that’s not the goal. I know Newcastle and all the Geordies want a reward bigger than the League Cup, but the League Cup is the start.»
«Playing in the Champions League is another very important step and I think the club is going in the right direction.»
Mourinho initially served as Robson’s interpreter at Sporting, a position that set him on the path to a hugely successful career in football management.
«He put a lot of trust in me and I think that is very important for my career. I tried to repay him with everything I gave,» Mourinho said.
‘Legendary’ Bobby Robson
«I don’t know if I ever did that, but I tried to give him everything I had. That’s enough for me.»
The 62-year-old added: “I worked with Sir Bobby for two, four, six years and there wasn’t a single day that he didn’t show his passion for Newcastle, the city, the region and the football club, the pride and passion he felt for it.
“Even when I was manager of other English clubs, I have never hidden how dear Newcastle is to me because of the influence of a legendary person at this club.”
Benfica are useless after their first two Champions League games this season and have been told to expect a difficult encounter at St James’ Park, although Mourinho insists he should enjoy it.
“I told them it’s beautiful, absolutely beautiful,” he said. “Even as an opponent it is beautiful.”
Previously, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said he was looking for a big manager in Mourinho.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said he is looking forward to a great manager in Mourinho. | Photo credit: Reuters
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said he is looking forward to a great manager in Mourinho. | Photo credit: Reuters
The much-traveled Mourinho’s 26 major trophies in his exceptional managerial career include a total of three Premier League titles, four League Cups, an FA Cup and the Europa League during his spells at Chelsea and Manchester United.
Howe, who was asked during his pre-match press conference whether former Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss Mourinho should be considered an all-time great, replied: «I think he should. Look what he did.»
“I’m not just saying that because we’re playing them tomorrow, I really believe it.
“The impact he made initially was absolutely incredible,” the 47-year-old Englishman added.
«He had an aura around him and his teams. His teams were always very difficult to beat.»
Published on October 21, 2025
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(696x347:698x349)/ariana-granda-barbra-streisnad-instagram-122325-d46c7b8345014c9280de751a9c6bb9c4.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "Barbra Streisand elogia a Ariana Grande por su ‘increíble talento’")
