Tusport - News - Real Madrid target Mourinho as Benfica move to keep him

Real Madrid’s managerial search has swung firmly toward José Mourinho, with fresh reports in Spain suggesting the Portuguese coach is a leading candidate for the Bernabéu bench next season. Journalist Nicolo Schira underlined the development on Wednesday, noting that Mourinho’s current deal includes a €3m release clause—small change at elite level—which leaves the final decision squarely with the Special One himself. Benfica, however, are determined not to lose their head coach. The Lisbon club is said to be negotiating an immediate contract extension that would both increase Mourinho’s salary and potentially remove the release clause altogether. Sources close to the talks describe a sense of urgency at the Estádio da Luz, where there is “great concern” about his future and a clear plan to secure continuity beyond the summer. One Spanish report even framed the negotiations as a decisive career juncture for Mourinho, suggesting that if he accepts Benfica’s offer and commits long term, this could be his final job before retirement. While that assertion remains speculative, it highlights the magnitude of the decision facing one of the game’s most decorated coaches. Complicating the picture is another pathway linked to the Portugal national team after the World Cup, should the federation make a change. But the most immediate tug-of-war appears to be between Real Madrid’s intent and Benfica’s resolve. Madrid’s hierarchy, led by president Florentino Pérez, is understood to have taken soundings with Mourinho’s camp. Local headlines have referenced “non-negotiable” conditions from Mourinho in any discussion about a return, though details of those demands remain under wraps. For Real Madrid, a reunion would be both bold and familiar. Mourinho previously managed Los Blancos between 2010 and 2013, imprinting his trademark edge and winning LaLiga while taking the club deep into Europe. A second stint would signal a desire for a proven winner who thrives under pressure and commands instant authority in a star-studded dressing room. From Benfica’s standpoint, continuity is strategic. The club has invested in a long-term project and sees Mourinho as the figurehead to bridge short-term results with longer-term stability. Removing a relatively modest €3m clause would drastically reduce vulnerability to external approaches and may be the single most decisive move in this saga. What happens next will hinge on timelines. Any Madrid move would likely accelerate before preseason plans lock in, while Benfica aims to finalize terms swiftly to eliminate uncertainty. The Portugal job remains a variable in the background, but it is Real Madrid and Benfica who currently hold the front line of this story. Until there is an official statement from either club or Mourinho’s representatives, all scenarios remain in play. But with a manageable clause, a determined current employer, and a potential return to one of world football’s grandest stages, the decision now rests with Mourinho—and it could shape two European giants’ trajectories for years to come.