The circle around Real Madrid is closing in on José Mourinho. As previously reported, the Portuguese coach is the top candidate among the options the club is considering to replace Álvaro Arbeloa. Confidence that he is the right man to restore the team’s sporting direction continues to grow. So far, the operation has only seen an initial approach between Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and Real Madrid.
These preliminary discussions will not intensify until both Benfica and Real Madrid finish their respective seasons. Benfica still has a chance to qualify for the Champions League, and Mourinho wants to stay focused on his current project. The season ends on the weekend of May 16-17. After that, Mourinho will make a decision about his future.
Well-informed sources confirm that no direct contact has yet occurred between Mourinho and Real Madrid. That will be the final stage of the operation, where everything will be defined. So far, only Mendes and the club’s leadership have held talks. The major new development is that Mourinho already has a renewal offer from Benfica on the table. He is happy at Benfica, enjoying his return home and being closer to his family while coaching a historic club like the Eagles, where his career began. However, logically, if Madrid ultimately moves to sign him, that would change everything.
Mourinho has also conducted a diagnosis of the situation and has two main requests for coaching Real Madrid. First, he wants a say in transfer decisions, not necessarily regarding specific names, but concerning which positions need reinforcement. In his initial assessment, he believes the squad is unbalanced in some areas compared to others. During his first stint at Real Madrid, he requested signings that proved crucial, such as Modrić (especially the Croatian), Khedira, and Özil.
Second, Mourinho has the club’s structure in mind. This is not about the organizational chart, sporting director, or football management, but about respecting hierarchies and the work of all departments. It has always been his approach: the first team bears Mourinho’s strict imprint. He aims to avoid situations like those seen this season with Vinícius or the snub involving Xabi Alonso, which could destabilize the squad’s performance.
Starting next weekend, Real Madrid will have ten days to finalize Mourinho’s signing at a low cost, as his contract includes a clause allowing him to leave for three million euros up to ten days after Benfica plays its last game of the season.