The return of Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid seems to be on the verge of happening. According to Belgian transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri, the Portuguese manager’s move from Benfica to Los Blancos is all but confirmed.
The official announcement from the Madrid club is reportedly expected as early as next week. Speculation about Mourinho returning to his former stomping ground had been circulating in recent days. The Portuguese manager has a release clause of three million euros in his current contract with Benfica, which runs until 2027.
Initially, The Athletic broke the news that Mourinho was President Florentino Perez’s preferred choice for the managerial position. The departure of Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over from Xabi Alonso only in January, has long been considered a foregone conclusion according to numerous media reports. Besides Mourinho, other names reportedly considered included France’s outgoing national coach Didier Deschamps and Sebastian Hoeneß from VfB Stuttgart.
Jose Mourinho Reportedly Presented Two Demands to Real Madrid
Mourinho is said to be the man to restore discipline and unity to Real Madrid’s star-studded squad, which is set to finish a season without a major title for the second consecutive year. In recent weeks and months, the players have been involved in several disciplinary incidents, culminating in a significant confrontation between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde. The latter suffered a traumatic brain injury, and both players were reportedly fined half a million euros.
Arbeloa’s tenure as head coach, after previously being in charge of Castilla, was plagued by immediate misfortune. Following a humiliating debut against second-division side Albacete in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, Real Madrid fell behind FC Barcelona in the league title race and watched their bitter rivals clinch the championship in El Clásico. Their Champions League campaign ended in the quarter-finals against FC Bayern Munich.
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, leading them to one league title and one Copa del Rey. Most recently, Sky Sport reported that the 63-year-old had two conditions for his comeback. Discussions with the club’s officials reportedly involved demands for «full control» and «significant influence over transfers» before he would agree to a new engagement. Tavolieri did not specify whether such an agreement was part of the breakthrough now reportedly achieved.
Jose Mourinho: Benfica Lisbon Has Remained Undefeated in the League This Season
Mourinho himself had recently kept his future at Benfica uncertain. In his characteristic style, he stated: «I cannot say. How can I confirm such a thing? It doesn’t depend on me alone.» He admitted he «cannot guarantee anything» and denied any inquiry from Real Madrid. This statement, which was met with skepticism, has now apparently proven to be untrue.
With Benfica, Mourinho no longer has a chance to win the league title. FC Porto has already secured the championship, holding an eight-point lead with one game remaining. This is despite Lisbon having lost not a single league match. However, eleven draws alongside 22 victories proved to be too many.