Jose Mourinho says he expects a warm Chelsea return as he brings Benfica to Stamford Bridge for a Champions League clash against his former club

Jose Mourinho Chelsea return takes centre stage on Tuesday as the former Blues boss steps back into Stamford Bridge with Benfica for a Champions League group match he admits is as much about memories as football.

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The 62-year-old Portuguese coach, who once proclaimed himself the “Special One,” guided Chelsea to three Premier League titles, three League Cups and an FA Cup across two glittering spells that transformed the club into serial winners under Roman Abramovich.

Despite that success, Mourinho has faced hostility on previous returns, with Chelsea fans chanting “you’re not special anymore” during his time at Manchester United and Tottenham. Yet this time, he believes the mood will be different.

“Of course I will always be a Blue. I am part of their history and they are part of mine,” Mourinho told reporters on Monday. “I helped them become a bigger Chelsea and they helped me become a bigger Jose. I don’t think Chelsea fans will boo.”

Chelsea decorated Stamford Bridge’s Ted Drake Suite with images of Mourinho’s greatest triumphs, a gesture the Benfica boss welcomed. “It shows Chelsea is really a big club. Some clubs fear the past and try to erase history. Chelsea doesn’t,” he said.

Mourinho, who still has a home near the stadium, avoided criticising current manager Enzo Maresca, despite recent defeats to Manchester United and Brighton. “There was a sad period where Chelsea lost their identity, but what happened last season put things back on track,” he said.

Still, in vintage Mourinho style, he could not resist reminding reporters of his own record. Asked if he remained Chelsea’s greatest ever manager, he replied: “I am the biggest one until someone wins four titles.”

He also dismissed Maresca’s UEFA Conference League triumph: “The Conference League is an easy competition for a big club to win. I did it with Roma. The Champions League is much more difficult.”

As he wrapped up his press conference, Mourinho embraced old media acquaintances and posed for selfies, showing the charisma that continues to make him box-office even a decade after his last league crown.

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“You know how I am. I love it,” he said with a trademark smirk before leaving.