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José Mourinho has left the door ajar for a stunning comeback to the Santiago Bernabéu, admitting he cannot "guarantee" his future at Benfica beyond the current summer. Nevertheless, an immediate return this summer appears highly unlikely.
With current Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa's tenure effectively on borrowed time following the club's dramatic Champions League quarterfinal elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich, speculation is swirling over who will next occupy the hot seat at the Bernabéu.
Mourinho previously managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, claiming one La Liga crown along with the Copa del Rey and Supercopa, as he went toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola's dominant Barcelona side.
The 63-year-old Portuguese tactician, who took charge at Benfica last September, was also linked with the Madrid job ahead of Arbeloa's appointment in January and is widely regarded as a trusted favorite of club president Florentino Pérez.
Mourinho Coy on Benfica Future
With the top position likely to become vacant once more, Mourinho's name has stayed in circulation—albeit as a long shot—while the man himself has seemingly declined to rule out a return to Real Madrid, despite being contracted in Portugal through 2027.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Mourinho said: "Can I guarantee that I'll be at Benfica next season? That's something I talked about two months ago, weeks ago, and a few days ago."
"I can't guarantee what will happen," he added, before turning the question back on the journalist who asked it: "Can you guarantee you'll still be in your job?"
The journalist responded with a smile: "I can, because nobody wants me."
Beyond Madrid, Mourinho has also been mentioned as a potential candidate at Newcastle United, should the club decide to move on from Eddie Howe.
Why Mourinho Return Feels Unlikely Now
Reports emerging from Spain suggest Mourinho is receptive to a return, and there is always a vocal contingent at a club as steeped in tradition as Real Madrid who would welcome him back.
Ever since his departure, Mourinho's name has rarely strayed far from bookmakers' shortlists of potential candidates. Yet a triumphant comeback at this point in his career seems improbable for several reasons.
For one, the self-proclaimed "Special One" has seen diminishing returns since his peak at Real Madrid. When he first arrived at the Bernabéu, he was the man who had delivered Champions League glory with Porto and Inter, with a record-breaking stint at Chelsea sandwiched in between. Magnetic and a commanding leader, he wielded an almost uncanny influence over his players and brought a cutting-edge tactical philosophy to the game.
After departing Madrid, he returned to Chelsea and claimed the 2014–15 Premier League title. However, that remains his sole league championship in the past 12 years.
Spells at Manchester United and Tottenham were clouded by controversy and disappointing outcomes, while the downward trajectory continued at Roma and Fenerbahçe. An uninspiring, defense-first style of play has been paired with off-pitch controversies, including very public fallouts with key players, club owners, referees, rival managers, and league authorities.
How Has Mourinho Been Doing at Benfica?
Since assuming the reins at Benfica in September 2025, Mourinho has posted a 60% win rate and guided the club to second place in the league standings during a remarkable unbeaten campaign. Despite this achievement, they still trail league leaders Porto by a considerable margin.
Only Sporting CP have netted more than Benfica's 63 league goals, while Mourinho's side also boast the second-best defensive record in the division.
Standout results include a 4–2 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage, in which goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin headed home in the 97th minute to send Benfica into the knockout rounds.
If that January result served as a reminder of Mourinho's enduring ability to deliver in high-stakes matches, Madrid witnessed the more contentious side of his personality in the rematch when the two clubs were drawn together in the Champions League knockout phase play-offs.
Racism Row Deepens Divide
Madrid prevailed 3–1 on aggregate in a fiery and ill-tempered tie, which was overshadowed by allegations of racist abuse directed at Vinicius Junior by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni.
Mourinho, who was suspended for the second leg following a red card in the first, criticized Vinicius's goal celebration and maintained that Benfica as a club was "not racist"—a stance that attracted widespread condemnation.
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, Mourinho said: "I told [Vinicius], when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. They [Vinicius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don't believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.
"When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusébio] in the history of this club was black. This club, the last thing that it is, is racist."
Mourinho subsequently stated that Prestianni's time at Benfica would be "over" if a UEFA investigation found him guilty of racist conduct.
Despite the partial retreat, it is difficult to envision the veteran manager sharing a dressing room with Vinicius at this point.