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José Mourinho has confirmed that contact has been established with Real Madrid, but cautioned that he would need to understand what the Spanish capital club "expect from me" before committing to a high-profile return.
The self-proclaimed "Special One" emerged as a frontrunner to replace Álvaro Arbeloa after it became evident that Xabi Alonso's immediate successor had dramatically lost the dressing room. Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, firmly entrenched in crisis management mode, was widely expected to turn to the one coach he never stopped believing in.
Recent reports suggested a deal had already been finalized, but Mourinho stressed that several crucial conversations still need to happen.
After presiding over Benfica's final league fixture of the season—which sealed an unbeaten campaign and a curiously anticlimactic third-place finish—Mourinho told reporters that he was willing to walk away from the world's most prestigious club if their vision did not align with his own.
"It depends on the offer, on what they expect from me," the former Manchester United and Chelsea boss cautioned. "We're not talking about money, but about what they expect from me, whether I'm capable of fulfilling their expectations and matching the job profile they have in mind."
Mourinho Sets Timeline for Real Madrid Decision
Few managers in the history of the game command the media stage quite like Mourinho. The seasoned communicator had carefully sidestepped questions about Real Madrid, consistently refusing to be drawn on the matter while Benfica's league campaign remained ongoing. Shortly after the final whistle on Saturday, he was finally free to look ahead.
"Starting Monday, I'll be able to talk about my future," Mourinho revealed.
"It's also true that I haven't spoken with Florentino or anyone from the organization. All of this is true. But I'm not stupid... and there are contacts between the club and Jorge [Mendes, Mourinho's agent]. And I think those contacts will turn into direct conversations with me over the coming week."
Mourinho has one year remaining on his Benfica contract, and the Portuguese club are eager to extend their manager's deal further. However, the terms of the current agreement allow any interested club to acquire Mourinho's services for the modest fee of approximately $3.5 million (€3 million). A buyout clause deadline is looming, set to expire on Tuesday, May 26, ten days after Benfica's season finale.
This promises to be a period of deep personal reflection for Mourinho. "From the moment we entered this final phase, I decided I didn't want to listen to anyone, that I wanted to be isolated in my own space," he said.
Alvaro Arbeloa's Message for Jose Mourinho
It has long been clear that Arbeloa's tenure as Real Madrid manager will not continue into next season. The fact that it has even survived to the end of the current campaign is something of a small miracle in itself, yet there appears to be no bitterness from the former fullback. If anything, Arbeloa is openly hoping for Mourinho's comeback.
"I think I've been very clear throughout my life about what I think of him," the ex-Real Madrid academy graduate said of his former manager this week. "For me, as his player, but above all as a Madridista, I feel and believe he is number one.
"A colleague of yours [journalist] asked me a few days ago if I still stand by what I said when we faced him in the Champions League, and I will continue to believe that José has been, is, and will always be 'one of us.' If he is the one here next season, I will be absolutely delighted to see him back home."