The Robson-Mourinho combo then moved on to Barcelona in 1996, where they won a pair of Spanish Cups (1997 and 1998) and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1997. However, the Nou Camp was to be the last staging post for the partnership. In 1998 Robson received an offer from PSV Eindhoven that was too good to refuse - and instead of following his tutor to another new club, Mourinho decided to chance his arm away from Robson and stayed on at Barca in a coaching capacity, this time under new manager Louis Van Gaal.
However, under the Dutchman, Mourinho's days were numbered and he was forced out of the job as Van Gaal tried, unsuccessfully, to re-unite the coaching team that had led Ajax to so much success.
Mourinho did not have long to wait before landing his first full managerial post though, when he was appointed Benfica boss in 2000. But his reign was short-lived, lasting only nine games before he resigned due to problems in the boardroom.
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