José Mourinho confirmed on Saturday that his agent, Jorge Mendes, is in discussions with Real Madrid regarding a possible return as head coach for the upcoming season, but he has not yet decided on his future.
The current manager of Benfica is a strong candidate to succeed Álvaro Arbeloa at Madrid, with ESPN indicating he is the frontrunner on a shortlist of three potential replacements.
– Arbeloa supports Mourinho’s Madrid return
– Porto secures Portuguese title as Villas-Boas surpasses Mourinho
However, Mourinho stated that he has yet to receive an official offer from the Spanish club. Benfica, meanwhile, has presented a contract renewal offer, which he mentioned only his agent has seen, noting that the upcoming week will be crucial in shaping his decision.
“I expect my future to be decided this week,” he told reporters. “I have a proposal from Benfica, but nothing formal from Real Madrid. Nonetheless, I can’t pretend that there’s no interest; something is happening, though not directly with me.”
“I require time and space to make my decision, and I believe next week will be significant.”
The 63-year-old, who has previously managed Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Manchester United, is under contract with Benfica until June 2027, but a clause allows either party to end the agreement at the season’s conclusion.
“Benfica is a prestigious club, and from the moment I joined, I felt the honor and responsibility to work for such an institution. Benfica is truly grand.”
Mourinho’s previous stint at Madrid lasted from 2010 to 2013, during which he secured a LaLiga title and a Copa del Rey. When asked if he could refuse Madrid if they made a formal proposal, he replied: “If, if, if…”
Mourinho’s comments came after Benfica finished their Portuguese Primeira Liga season unbeaten but failed to qualify for the Champions League.
A 3-1 victory over Estoril on the final matchday confirmed their unbeaten status after 34 games. However, with 11 draws, they ranked third in the league, trailing behind champions FC Porto and runners-up Sporting CP.
Portugal secures one direct spot in Europe’s top competition, with a second team entering the qualifying rounds.
“Going unbeaten is a remarkable achievement,” Mourinho stated. “It’s the first time in my career that I’ve achieved this. Even after winning eight titles, I’ve never done it without a loss.”
“However, I’d trade that for a title with a couple of defeats, without a doubt. Still, it reflects well on the team’s mindset, unity, and empathy.”
Three goals in the opening 16 minutes set the tone for Mourinho’s side as they concluded their season on a high note.
Richard Ríos netted the opener in the seventh minute, followed by goals from Alexander Bah and Rafa that secured the victory, possibly marking Mourinho’s last game in charge.
Prior to Saturday’s match, Mourinho emphasized that his future was not contingent on Benfica qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Mourinho took the reins at Benfica last September, just weeks after leaving Fenerbahce following an exit from the Champions League qualifying rounds—which occurred against Benfica.
The Associated Press and ESPN’s Alex Kirkland contributed to this report.