Jose Mourinho vs Enzo Maresca: Who Will Be Public Enemy No 1 for Chelsea Boo Boys at Stamford Bridge?

Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. This time the Special One will walk out as Benfica manager in the Champions League, 20 years on from guiding Chelsea to their first Premier League title.

For many Blues supporters, it promises to be an emotional evening. Mourinho — who recently joined Benfica on a two-year deal — remains Chelsea’s most successful coach, having delivered three league crowns, three League Cups and an FA Cup across two spells.

He built one of the most formidable teams in English football history, led by John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

Mourinho was also sacked by Chelsea twice, before later returning to England to manage rivals Manchester United and then Tottenham.

Will Chelsea fans boo Jose Mourinho?

The reception awaiting Mourinho has been a hot topic among Chelsea fans. Judging by the online debate, most fans plan to welcome him back warmly.

One season-ticket holder tweeted this week: “I have no idea why any Chelsea fan would boo Jose Mourinho to be honest. Legendary coach that led the best team in our history to date.”

Another reply read: “The greatest manager in our history. Anybody that boos him is not a true Chelsea supporter.”

Others highlighted reasons for resentment, such as Mourinho later managing United and Spurs, describing a second-place finish at Old Trafford as his “greatest career achievement”, and clashing with Chelsea stars before his final sacking.

Still, the overriding mood suggests applause rather than anger. One fan predicted: “I’d be amazed if he doesn’t get every supporter in the stadium giving him a standing ovation on Tuesday night.”

Enzo Maresca may face the wrath of Stamford Bridge instead

If boos are heard, they may be aimed not at Mourinho but at Chelsea’s current coach. Enzo Maresca has overseen a difficult start to the season.

Chelsea have lost three of their last four games in all competitions, including a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Brighton on Saturday, with fans audibly venting their frustrations at Stamford Bridge.

Two of those losses came after Chelsea had seen a player sent off — something Maresca was keen to point out when asked about his team’s poor run. “After reviewing the last games… for sure I could have done better in terms of decisions. It’s like a learning process to play with 10 players,” he told reporters on Monday.

Maresca has also called for positivity. “We need to be positive because first of all it is what the players need,” he said. “Secondly, because I think there is no reason to be negative.”

Nevertheless, there were boos at full-time against Brighton and there could be more on Tuesday if Chelsea fail to bounce back against Benfica.

Fan sentiment on social media reflects that tension. One post read: “The fans will boo Maresca and cheer Jose Mourinho.”

Another supporter was more blunt: “Don’t worry. People won’t boo Mourinho. They’ll boo their own team and Maresca’s instead.”

Mourinho nostalgia vs Maresca reality

What makes Tuesday fascinating is the contrast. Mourinho arrives as a living symbol of Chelsea’s golden years, even if he later coached their fiercest rivals.

Meanwhile, Maresca — despite leading Chelsea to FIFA Club World Cup glory over the summer — is still battling to convince sceptical fans that his project will bear fruit.

Maresca himself was diplomatic when asked about Mourinho: “The only thing I can say about Jose is that, for me, personally he’s a legend for this club… he has already showed how important a manager he has been and is.”

The Italian insists he is not feeling pressure, yet his relationship with the fanbase seems fragile. Mourinho, by contrast, is almost certain to soak up the love, even if he tries to spoil the party on the pitch.