What was Jose Mourinho's last starting XI as Chelsea manager?

Cameron Smith

• 29 Sep 2025 08:00 CDT
• 4 min read

News

Jose Mourinho will return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening when Benfica face his former club Chelsea in their second fixture of the 2025-26 Champions League campaign.

The 62-year-old remains a Blues legend following two hugely successful spells at the club, during which time he won a total of eight trophies, including the Premier League on three occasions.

Mourinho has even admitted that he will be returning “home” when he arrives at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, although he has also slammed his former club’s transfer strategy under new owners BlueCo by proclaiming they’ve spent “too many millions on too many players.”

The Portuguese tactician will battle Enzo Maresca for the first time in his managerial career in midweek, however it will be the 15th time that he has faced Chelsea during his time in the dugout.

Mourinho beat the Blues on two occasions at both Inter Milan and Manchester United, while he also secured victory once at Tottenham Hotspur. However, he has also lost seven times against Chelsea, while there have been two draws.

But, what was Mourinho’s final ever starting XI before he was sacked by Chelsea back in December 2015?

Chelsea’s final starting XI under Jose Mourinho (vs Leicester City)

GK: Thibaut Courtois

RB: Branislav Ivanovic

CB: Kurt Zouma

CB: John Terry

LB: Cesar Azpilicueta

CDM: Nemanja Matic

CDM: Ramires

RW: Willian

CAM: Oscar

LW: Eden Hazard

ST: Diego Costa

After winning the 2015-16 Premier League title, Chelsea went into the new campaign confident of defending their crown, however they endured a torrid start to the season.

The Blues lost nine of their opening 16 league matches, picking up only four wins, and Mourinho was sacked following a 2-1 defeat to eventual champions Leicester City in December 2015.

Jamie Vardy opened the scoring at the King Power Stadium with a neat volley from a pinpoint Riyad Mahrez cross, before Mahrez made it 2-0 to the Foxes with a sublime individual goal that left Cesar Azpilicueta spinning.

Substitute Loic Remy pulled a goal back in the 77th minute, but Chelsea were unable to complete a comeback and Mourinho was fired three days after the defeat.

Chelsea were languishing down in 16th place in the Premier League table when Mourinho lost his job and they were only one point clear of Burnley in the relegation zone.

Guus Hiddink was appointed as the club’s interim manager following Mourinho’s sacking and Chelsea only lost three of their remaining 22 Premier League matches in 2015-16.

After being sacked by Chelsea, Mourinho was hired as the new Man Utd boss in May 2016 and he spent two-and-a-half years in the Old Trafford dugout. He subsequently joined Tottenham, AS Roma and Fenerbahce, before returning to former club Benfica in September.

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