Real Madrid have identified José Mourinho as their primary candidate to take over as manager next season, according to a report from The Athletic. The Spanish giants are considering a move to bring back the Portuguese coach, who is currently under contract with Benfica. Club president Florentino Pérez is reportedly driving the pursuit and is keen to see it finalized, despite the potential appointment not being unanimously supported within the Madrid hierarchy.
Mourinho, 63, has a release clause in his Benfica contract worth approximately three million euros. He has enjoyed an impressive, unbeaten start to the season with the Portuguese club. The experienced manager previously spent three years at the Santiago Bernabéu between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de España during his tenure. A return would see him aim to add the Champions League, the one major trophy that eluded him during his first spell.
The potential move represents a significant shift in direction for Real Madrid, who are set to see Carlo Ancelotti depart at the end of the current campaign. Mourinho’s pragmatic and often confrontational style contrasts sharply with Ancelotti’s more diplomatic approach, suggesting a clear change in managerial philosophy. His appointment would also mark a high-profile homecoming, reuniting him with a club where he remains a polarizing but ultimately successful figure.
For Benfica, losing a manager of Mourinho’s stature so soon into his project would be a considerable blow. His arrival last summer was seen as a major coup, and his unbeaten run has reinforced his reputation for delivering immediate results. The relatively modest release clause, however, leaves the Lisbon club vulnerable to a approach from a European powerhouse like Madrid.
From a broader perspective, a Mourinho return to Madrid would dominate the headlines in a summer already expected to be defined by the arrival of Kylian Mbappé on a free transfer. It would signal Madrid’s intent to combine a star-studded squad with a proven, trophy-winning manager capable of handling the immense pressure and scrutiny at the Bernabéu. The coming weeks are likely to see further developments as Pérez works to secure his preferred candidate.
