AS: Mourinho Could Make History as First Manager to Win the Champions League with Three Clubs

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Mourinho, who has returned to coach Real Madrid, has a major opportunity to rewrite Champions League history. If he can lead Real Madrid to the Champions League title this season, he will become the first manager in football history to win the Champions League with three different clubs, achieving an unprecedented milestone.

Mourinho already has two Champions League trophies and a legendary European record. In 2004, he led Porto to a remarkable Champions League triumph; in 2010, he guided Inter Milan back to the top of Europe and won the club's famous treble. With his outstanding European tactical ability and experience managing on big occasions, Mourinho has earned strong recognition from Real Madrid president Florentino, which is described as a key reason behind the club bringing him back for a second spell.

Several top managers have already achieved Champions League titles with two clubs, including Ancelotti, Guardiola, Happel, Hitzfeld and Heynckes, but no one has ever won the competition with three clubs. Mourinho could become the first in history.

His return to the Bernabeu is also described as Mourinho's chance for redemption and a complete career circle. During his first spell in charge of Real Madrid, he fell short in Champions League knockout stages for three consecutive seasons: losing to Barcelona in 2011, Bayern Munich in 2012 and Borussia Dortmund in 2013. Those defeats in crucial matches became the biggest regret of his Real Madrid career. Returning 17 years later, Mourinho hopes to make up for those past disappointments and write another chapter of his legacy with a Champions League trophy.

From a statistical perspective, Mourinho's Champions League managerial record remains among the best in history. He has managed 153 Champions League matches so far, recording 80 victories, which ranks fifth among managers in Champions League history, behind only Wenger, Guardiola, Ferguson and Ancelotti. His Champions League win rate stands at 52%; among these five managers, only Ancelotti (56%) and Guardiola (62%) have higher win rates, highlighting his strong credentials.

On Tuesday Beijing time, Real Madrid will host a key Champions League match at the Bernabeu, with the opponent being Mourinho's former club Inter Milan. The match will also be an important starting point in his pursuit of a historic achievement this year. AS states that after years of setbacks and experience, Mourinho deserves an opportunity to lead Real Madrid toward a Champions League final and European glory.