Mourinho edging closer to sensational Real Madrid return as exit clause emerges
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 10.05.26. | 19:37
The Special One himself has now added fuel to the speculation with a carefully chosen comment...
A return to Real Madrid for Jose Mourinho is becoming increasingly realistic.
Regardless of the outcome of today's EL Clasico, Spanish media reports suggest it would now be a major surprise if Alvaro Arbeloa remained in charge beyond the end of the season. And over recent days, Mourinho has emerged as the leading candidate to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu once again.
The Portuguese coach currently has a clause in his contract with Benfica allowing him a short negotiation window at the end of the season. According to reports, Benfica would be obliged to release him for a compensation fee of just €3 million if an agreement with another club is reached.
For Madrid, that figure would barely register.
And Mourinho himself has now added fuel to the speculation with carefully chosen comments ahead of Benfica's clash with SC Braga.
"In football, it's not coaches or players who make the moves - clubs decide when they want someone or when they no longer want someone," Mourinho said.
"People keep talking about Real Madrid, but I continue to avoid the subject. I've had no contact with the president or any official from the club. During the final stretch of the season, I don't speak to anyone, and I won't until after our final match against Estoril."
However, Mou also confirmed that once the season ends, he will enter a one-week period during which he will be free to negotiate.
"After that match, there will be a week where I can speak to whoever I think I should speak to," he added in a statement many in Spain interpreted as a clear hint that discussions could soon begin.
Mourinho managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup while reigniting the club's intensity during one of the fiercest eras of the rivalry with Barcelona.
Several other names have also been linked with the Madrid job, including Jurgen Klopp, Zinedine Zidane, Didier Deschamps, Mauricio Pochettino and Lionel Scaloni, though Mourinho is increasingly viewed as the most realistic option.
Meanwhile, Benfica are already preparing for a possible departure. Marco Silva is reportedly the club's preferred replacement, with former Flamengo coach Filipe Luis also under consideration.
LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 35
Friday
Levante - Osasuna 2-2 (2-2)
/Garcia 35, 37 - Toljan 3 og, Budimir 11/
Elche - Alaves 1-1 (0-0)
/Rodriguez 72 - Martinez 51 pen/
Sevilla - Espanyol 2-1 (0-0)
/Castrin 82, Adams 90+1 - Dolan 56/
Atletico Madrid - Celta Vigo 0-1 (0-0)
/Iglesias 62/
Real Sociedad - Real Betis 2-2 (0-1)
/Oskarsson 79, Oyarzabal 90 pen - Antony 39, Ezzalzouli 47/
Sunday
Mallorca - Villareal 1-1 (1-1)
/Muriqi 45+2 - Perez 31 pen/
Athletic Bilbao - Valencia 0-1 (0-0)
/Sadiq 72/
Real Oviedo - Getafe IN PROGRESS
22.00: (1.70) Barcelona (5.00) Real Madrid (4.20)
Monday
22.00: (2.35) Rayo Vallecano (3.40) Girona (3.00)
***odds are subject to change***