Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho has denied reports of being in talks to make a sensational return to Real Madrid. Mourinho insists his immediate focus remains in Portugal, despite reported interest from Madrid’s president Florentino Perez.
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After two consecutive season without a trophy, Real Madrid has been in frantic search for a manager to replace Alvero Arbeloa next season. Mourinho’s named has been mentioned as a frontrunnerf for the job due to his successes during his previous stint at the club. But the Portuguese tactician he has not has not “had any contact” with Los Blancos.
He said in a press conference: “There are still talks about Real Madrid, but I’m still avoiding it, but I’m doing so in all honesty. I’ve had no contact whatsoever, neither with the president nor with any of the key figures in the organisation, and by my own decision – just as I’ve done in similar situations throughout my career, particularly now, in the final stages of the season – I don’t speak to anyone.
“I’ve had no contact with Real Madrid, none at all, and I won’t have any until after the final league match against Estoril either.
“Then there’s a one-week window, during which I’ll be free to speak to whoever I feel I should speak to, but all the stories that have been circulating – demands, meetings – are all speculation.”
Mourinho’s contract with Benfica runs until June 2027 and reportedly has a €3 million ($3.5 million) break clause that allows either party to sever the contract up to 10 days after the final match of the 2025–26 season.
