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, the club has not yet made any official approach to the Portuguese tactician. At present, Pérez is overseeing the hunt for a new head coach to replace the interim manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who stepped into the role after Xabi Alonso's departure in January. Arbeloa is expected to leave the bench at the conclusion of the current campaign, prompting the board to explore a range of candidates. Despite the ongoing search, Pérez maintains a close relationship with Mourinho and appears eager to rekindle their professional partnership.
The 63-year-old coach previously guided Real Madrid to a historic LaLiga triumph in the 2009-10 season, amassing a record-breaking 100 points—a milestone that still stands out in the club's illustrious history. Nevertheless, up to now there has been no direct communication between Real Madrid and Benfica, where Mourinho is currently in charge. The Portuguese manager has indicated that he is not in a rush to make any immediate decision about his future, preferring to focus on the tasks at hand with his present club.
Benfica, sitting seven points behind league leaders FC Porto, are on the brink of achieving a remarkable feat: they are just three matches away from completing an unbeaten league season, a distinction that would make them the only team in Europe to finish a top‑flight campaign without a single defeat. Securing three more victories would also guarantee Benfica a second‑place finish in the Primeira Liga, edging out domestic rivals Sporting CP and ensuring a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League. Mourinho is fully aware of the swirling rumors concerning his next move, including reports that he tops Real Madrid's list of preferred candidates. However, sources suggest that his primary focus remains on delivering the two critical objectives with Benfica—maintaining the unbeaten run and clinching that coveted Champions League qualification.
In addition to Real Madrid, Mourinho's name has been linked with several other elite clubs across Europe, as well as the vacant position of Portugal's national team manager. The Portuguese FA will co‑host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, adding another layer of intrigue to the potential national team role. While speculation continues, Mourinho's contract with Benfica runs until the summer of 2027, though it contains a break clause that can be activated by either party at the end of the current season. This clause provides both the club and the manager with a degree of flexibility, should either side wish to part ways earlier than originally planned.
Real Madrid's board, under Pérez's leadership, will likely continue to monitor Mourinho's situation closely. Should the Portuguese coach decide to activate the break clause or express a willingness to leave, Madrid could move swiftly to re‑engage in negotiations.
Until such a development occurs, the club appears content to let the process unfold naturally, without making any premature overtures that could disrupt either team's plans. In the meantime, fans of both clubs can follow the latest developments via Sky Sports' various platforms, including their WhatsApp channel for real‑time updates, the Sky Sports app for on‑the‑go news, and the Transfer Centre LIVE feature for the freshest transfer rumors.
As the season draws to a close, the football world will be watching closely to see whether Mourinho's impressive run with Benfica will culminate in a historic unbeaten league season, and whether that success will eventually open the door for a high‑profile return to the Bernabéu under Florentino Pérez's watchful eye.