Jose Mourinho blew a kiss to Chelsea fans chanting his name. He pleaded with Benfica fans to stop throwing objects at a player. He even jogged onto the field to remove an errant ball.

The man once nicknamed the “Special One” was the center of attention on his return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

He didn't leave with a win, though.

Taking charge of his first Champions League game in five years, Mourinho saw his Benfica team put up a good fight in losing 1-0 at Chelsea, the English club where he had two spells — from 2004-07 and 2013-15 — and established himself as one of coaching greats of his generation.

Mourinho's status may be diminished nowadays but he is still revered in this part of southwest London, and Chelsea fans gave him warm welcome as he belatedly emerged from the tunnel j

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