Former Chelsea and Manchester United manager José Mourinho is reportedly in final negotiations to return as manager of Real Madrid, more than a decade after leaving the Spanish giants.
According to reports, Mourinho has emerged as the leading and currently the only candidate being considered by Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez to replace current head coach Álvaro Arbeloa.
The development follows a disappointing 2025 26 campaign for Real Madrid, who finished the season without winning a trophy after rivals FC Barcelona secured the La Liga title and the club suffered an early UEFA Champions League exit against FC Bayern Munich.
Reports claim that Pérez began considering Mourinho’s return shortly after Xabi Alonso left the club earlier this year. Discussions between the club and Mourinho’s representatives are said to have advanced rapidly in recent days.
Mourinho is currently managing Benfica after signing a two year contract last September. However, reports indicate that his contract includes a release clause that would allow him to leave for approximately three million euros within 10 days after Benfica’s final game of the season.
Speaking ahead of Benfica’s final league match against Estoril Praia, Mourinho refused to directly address speculation surrounding his future, saying he would speak about it after the match.
The Portuguese coach previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup during his first spell at the Santiago Bernabéu.
After leaving Madrid, Mourinho returned to Chelsea FC before later coaching Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AS Roma, Fenerbahçe SK, and Benfica.
Leave a comment