Real Madrid’s Pursuit of José Mourinho
Real Madrid may find themselves needing to part with €15 million if they wish to rehire José Mourinho as head coach, contingent on the re-election of Florentino Pérez. Benfica disclosed this information on Thursday, shortly after it became apparent that Mourinho is Pérez’s preferred choice for the managerial role next season. This decision comes as Madrid seeks to recover from two years absent of significant silverware.
Benfica’s Official Statement
In a formal statement to the Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários (CMVM), Portugal’s financial oversight body, Benfica clarified that they have received official confirmation of Pérez’s ambition to bring Mourinho back for a second tenure at the Bernabéu, highlighting his history with the club from 2010 to 2013.
The statement from Benfica underscores Pérez’s commitment to appointing José Mourinho: “Sport Lisboa e Benfica announces that, as part of his campaign for the Real Madrid presidency, President Florentino Pérez has expressed his firm intention to hire José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix if he wins the presidential election scheduled for June 7, 2026. Should this come to fruition, the appointment will carry a price tag of €15 million, reflecting the termination clause in Mourinho’s existing contract with Benfica, which runs until June 2027.”
Upcoming Election and Rival Candidates
Currently, Pérez is preparing for an election that will be held on Sunday, where he faces rival Enrique Riquelme. This election marks a significant moment as it is the first time since 2006 that Real Madrid members will choose between multiple candidates. Riquelme has yet to disclose his preferred coaching choice but has indicated plans to involve club legend Raúl González as his director of football alongside Fernando Hierro overseeing the academy. Additionally, he has pledged to pursue star players Erling Haaland and Rodri from Manchester City in his campaign.
