Florentino Pérez, the president of Real Madrid, is reportedly enthusiastic about the idea of bringing Jose Mourinho back to the Santiago Bernabéu, but according to Sky Sports News no official approach has yet been made to the Portuguese coach. Pérez is currently overseeing the club's search for a new head coach, as Alvaro Arbeloa, who stepped in after Xabi Alonso's departure in January, is expected to leave his temporary role when the season concludes. The president maintains a close personal relationship with Mourinho and appears eager to see the 63-year-old manager return to a club where he once achieved a historic LaLiga triumph, finishing the 2009-10 campaign with a record 100 points.
Despite this apparent interest, there has been no direct communication with the Benfica boss, who is reportedly in no rush to make any immediate decision about his next move. Mourinho's current focus remains on guiding Benfica through a crucial phase of the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
The team sit seven points behind leaders Porto and are three matches away from completing an unbeaten league season—a feat that would make them the only club in Europe this year to finish the campaign without a loss. Securing three more victories would also guarantee Benfica a second-place finish ahead of arch-rivals Sporting CP and ensure qualification for next season's Champions League, a key objective for the club. The coach is fully aware of the swirling rumours regarding his future, including reports that he tops Real Madrid's shortlist of potential candidates.
Nevertheless, sources close to Mourinho suggest he wants to keep his attention on the two primary targets at Benfica: maintaining the unbeaten run and clinching that coveted Champions League berth. He is also being linked with a handful of other elite clubs across Europe as well as the vacant Portugal national team job, a role that could become especially prominent as Portugal prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup. While the idea of a Mourinho comeback at Madrid generates excitement among fans, the practicalities remain uncertain.
Real Madrid's current manager, Arbeloa, was appointed on an interim basis after Alonso's exit, and the club is expected to conduct a thorough search for a permanent replacement once the season ends. Pérez's inclination towards Mourinho may influence that process, but any concrete steps—such as a formal invitation or negotiation—have not materialised.
In the meantime, Benfica's season continues to unfold. The club's contract with Mourinho runs until the summer of 2027, but there is a break clause that can be activated at the end of the current campaign by either party.
This clause provides both Benfica and Mourinho with flexibility; if the team achieves its objectives—particularly an unbeaten league record and Champions League qualification—the incentive to remain together will be strong. Conversely, if the club falls short, the clause could open the door for a potential exit.
Mourinho's reputation for delivering titles, his tactical acumen, and his charismatic personality make him an attractive prospect for any top club. For Real Madrid, whose recent years have seen a revolving door of managers, the prospect of reinstating a proven winner could bring stability and a renewed sense of ambition.
However, the club must also weigh financial considerations, the manager's contract terms, and the strategic direction the board wishes to pursue. Fans of both clubs are closely monitoring developments. Madrid supporters hope that Pérez's interest might translate into a concrete offer, while Benfica followers are eager to see whether Mourinho will stay to complete the historic unbeaten season or opt for a new challenge elsewhere. As the final weeks of the Portuguese league approach, the pressure on the coach intensifies, and any decision regarding his future will likely be influenced by the outcomes on the pitch.
Overall, the situation remains fluid. While Florentino Pérez has expressed a clear desire to see Mourinho back at Real Madrid, the absence of an official approach means that, for now, the reunion remains a speculative scenario rather than an imminent reality. The coming weeks will reveal whether the two parties move beyond informal interest and enter formal negotiations, or whether Mourinho will continue to focus on delivering an unprecedented unbeaten season for Benfica and potentially eyeing other high-profile opportunities in the near future.