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Despite speculation surrounding a possible return to the Bernabéu dugout, José Mourinho insisted he has not "had any contact" with Real Madrid.
Following a disastrous 2025–26 campaign, Los Blancos are on the hunt for a new head coach capable of rebuilding a fractured squad into a title-contending side. Álvaro Arbeloa failed to impress after stepping in for Xabi Alonso in January, and his departure along with the announcement of a successor appears to be only a matter of time.
Recent reports have positioned Mourinho as the leading candidate for the role, yet the Portuguese tactician dismissed any talk of a Real Madrid comeback ahead of Benfica's clash with Braga.
"I want to clarify one thing," Mourinho stated in his pre-match press conference. "In football, it's not the players who decide whether to leave or stay. When something happens, it's the clubs that decide whether or not to initiate the process of signing the players they want.
"There's still talk about Real Madrid, and I continue to avoid the topic honestly. I haven't had any contact with the president or any other club official."
The Loophole in Mourinho's Defiant Statement
Mourinho was firm in stating he is not personally engaged in discussions with Real Madrid, though he made no mention of any potential outreach his representatives may have had with his former club. According to AS, his agent Jorge Mendes is the one spearheading negotiations with Los Blancos.
Mendes reportedly presented Real Madrid with the opportunity to bring Mourinho on board, potentially setting the stage for a high-profile return to the Spanish capital for "the Special One."
Just months ago, the idea of the 63-year-old taking charge at Real Madrid would have seemed far-fetched, particularly following his handling of Vinicius Junior's racism accusations against Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni. Yet he now appears to be the frontrunner for what many consider the most demanding job in the sport.
The prevailing view is that Mourinho possesses the experience, institutional knowledge and personality to steady the troubled ship at the Bernabéu. However, there remains a real concern that introducing such a polarizing figure into an already divided dressing room could deepen the crisis rather than resolve it.
When Real Madrid Could Secure Mourinho's Signature
Despite the uncertainty hanging over who will next occupy Real Madrid's technical area, there is a reasonably clear window in which they could tie down Mourinho. The manager's deal with Benfica, valid through June 2027, reportedly contains a €3 million ($3.5 million) release clause allowing either side to terminate the agreement within 10 days of the final match of the 2025–26 season.
Mourinho effectively confirmed the clause during his Sunday press conference. "I haven't had any contact with Real Madrid and I won't until after the last league match against Estoril. After that, there's a week in which I'll be free to talk to whomever I deem appropriate."
The comment reads almost like a warning—or a pledge—to both Benfica and Real Madrid. The Portuguese club concludes their season on Sunday, May 17, the same day Los Blancos play their penultimate fixture of 2025–26 against Sevilla.
Seven days later, Arbeloa's side face Athletic Club to bring their underwhelming campaign to a close at the Bernabéu. By that point, or perhaps just shortly after, Mourinho could already be confirmed as the club's next manager.