Mourinho to Decide Managerial Future After Season Ends as Real Madrid Pursue €3m Release Clause

José Mourinho has confirmed that any decision regarding his managerial future will be deferred until after Benfica’s final Primeira Liga fixture, with the Portuguese coach speaking publicly ahead of the last matchday of the domestic season.

Addressing reporters, the 63-year-old was direct in dismissing any suggestion that formal contract renewal talks with Benfica had taken place. “They never told me they had an offer to show me. Not the president, nor any important person in the organisation. But if they had told me, I would have answered exactly the same way,” Mourinho said, according to Pulse Sports.

Mourinho framed the coming days as a pivotal window, stating: “Next week will be important for me, for my future, and also for Benfica… we have this period of a few days to see what happens and make a decision.” He also sought to reassure the club’s supporters, noting that “Benfica is much bigger than me” and that fans need not be concerned should he ultimately choose to leave.

The backdrop to Mourinho’s measured response is a persistent set of reports linking him with a return to Real Madrid, where he previously managed between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga in the 2011-12 season. According to reports, Mourinho has already reached a broad agreement on personal terms with the Spanish club, with Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez reportedly leading the effort to secure his signature.

Sources suggest Pérez is fully prepared to activate the €3 million (£2.6 million) release clause embedded in Mourinho’s current Benfica contract, should the coach confirm his availability following the season’s conclusion. The reported target is Álvaro Arbeloa, the current Real Madrid Castilla coach who has been serving as interim or transitional figure, whom Mourinho would replace in the dugout at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Real Madrid’s interest is understood to stem from a difficult period at the club. The Spanish giants have endured two consecutive trophyless campaigns — a significant institutional setback for one of European football’s most decorated clubs. According to reports, the board views Mourinho as a figure with the authority and track record necessary to address internal divisions within the squad and restore competitive discipline.

Mourinho’s managerial career since his first spell at Real Madrid has taken him through Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AS Roma, and now Benfica. His arrival at the Lisbon club represented something of a homecoming to Portuguese football, though his tenure has remained under scrutiny given the speculation surrounding his long-term commitment.

With the Primeira Liga season drawing to a close, the timeline Mourinho has outlined means any formal announcement regarding his future — whether a renewal at Benfica or a move to Real Madrid — is expected within days. The outcome will have significant implications not only for both clubs but for the broader managerial landscape heading into the 2026-27 European football season.