NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: SL Benfica Head Coach José Mourinho speaks to the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Newcastle United at St James' Park on October 20, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: SL Benfica Head Coach José Mourinho speaks to the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Newcastle United at St James' Park on October 20, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Benfica boss Jose Mourinho couldn’t hide his love for Newcastle United ahead of facing them in the Champions League.
Mourinho worked alongside Robson at Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona before launching his own managerial career. His close relationship with Robson has seen Mourinho develop a deep connection with the Magpies.
But since the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia-led takeover in October 2021, Newcastle have climbed the table, twice qualifying for the Champions League as well as winning the Carabao Cup to end their 70-year domestic trophy drought.
Jose Mourinho on his love for Sir Bobby Robson and Newcastle United
Watching from afar, Mourinho is delighted to see Newcastle succeeding.
“Sir Bobby is a legend here and in England, when you are a legend, there are many reasons to be a legend,” said Mourinho.
“He loved this club, he gave everything to this club. Of course, he would be so happy with that victory in the cup. I was very happy. I know that is not the target, I know that Newcastle and all the Geordies, what they want is bigger than the League Cup, but the League Cup is the beginning.
“To play in the Champions League is another very important step, and I think the club goes in the right direction. Many clubs with new owners, with fresh money, lots of wrong decisions, lots of ups and downs. Newcastle, since the moment they have the new ownership, adding stability, they changed sporting directors for obvious reasons. The new football is like that.
“Lots of stability. The profile of the players, I never see a player that Newcastle get that doesn't fit the model, doesn't fit the profile, they do things really, really well. That's why they are where they are.
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“I'm so happy that I congratulate Eddie and the club, and the fans, and, you know, Lady Elsie Robson, and the three boys, and the grandsons. I think they are so happy to be like that. The legacy, that's about it.
“When I walk here, I feel close. When I walk here, I'll exchange a few words with him [Sir Bobby], and it's a great emotion.
“When I left England a few years ago, yes, I saw that Newcastle was not far from it. In fact, the first time they played in the Champions League was already two or three years ago, so this is a process, a process for them. And yes, I always thought that would be coming.
“When I left England, I went to Roma, where I played in the Conference League and Europa League, so no chance to be back. In Fenerbahce, as you know, we beat Feyenoord, but then we lost against Benfica in the play-offs.
“But now to be here is also great for me, in spite that I have, I don't know, almost 200 matches in the Champions League. I don't know, under 50, 200, but something like that. It's Champions League, it's Champions League, and it's always a great emotion.”
Jose Mourinho on ‘absolutely beautiful’ St James’ Park
Mourinho has won just once at St James’ Park in the Premier League as a manager but hailed the stadium as “absolutely beautiful”.
“Absolutely beautiful,” the 62-year-old said. “Even as an opponent, it's beautiful. Of course, we’re going to play with the Newcastle players, but I think they will respect us as an opponent, they will respect our game, they will respect if we are going to be successful.
“It's beautiful to play here, it's a different profile than to play in the London stadium and we have to cope with that emotion, we have to compete, we have to be strong enough to compete. But as I was saying, the players have to enjoy it, and I think they are going to do it.
“It's going to be difficult for us, we have to try to impose our qualities, which are different qualities than Newcastle. But in some moments where Newcastle impose things where they are superior than us, we have to cope with it. And we have to be ready to suffer on the pitch, because it will be a very difficult match.”
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