Real Madrid's Interest in Mourinho Prompts Benfica to Act

Benfica's management has decided to act on rumors linking coach José Mourinho with a potential return to Real Madrid. According to reports from "AS," the Lisbon club has scheduled a meeting with the specialist for early next week to discuss a contract renewal. It's anticipated that he won't respond immediately but will request time to consider the offer.

This move by Benfica, however, forces Real Madrid to make a swift decision if they genuinely intend to sign the Portuguese manager. For Mourinho himself, staying at Benfica has always been a priority, but a call from Madrid could change everything.

Mourinho took over Benfica during the current season. He was the choice of Rui Costa, who he helped win the presidential elections. Costa signed Mourinho to a two-season contract (including the next one), but it included a clause allowing the coach to leave for a modest fee within ten days of the team's final match of the campaign, essentially by the end of May. According to "AS," this clause is valued at three million euros – the amount it would cost Real Madrid to bring Mourinho back to the Bernabéu.

The situation, of course, changes if Mourinho renews his contract with the "Eagles." In that scenario, the three-million-euro clause would cease to exist, and the termination fee would be significantly higher. If the Portuguese manager re-signs, it's illogical to expect him to end up in Madrid. As media outlets report, Mourinho was offered to the "White Ballet," but this occurred unofficially during recent discussions between his agent, Jorge Mendes, and Florentino Pérez. There has been no official offer from Real Madrid. It is precisely in this context that Benfica's move comes, offering him a new contract early next week.

Mourinho left a lasting mark on the "royal club," which he managed for three seasons from 2011 to 2013. Across 178 matches (128 wins, 28 draws, and 22 losses), he secured one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey, and one Spanish Super Cup, battling against one of Barcelona's strongest teams in history.

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has always defended the Portuguese coach, and to this day, the two maintain a good friendship.