Jose Mourinho Nearing Real Madrid Comeback With a Long-Term Deal on Table

José Mourinho is set to sign a two-year contract as Real Madrid manager, with the option to extend it for one more year based on results.

The Portuguese coach is now expected to be officially announced as Madrid’s new manager after Benfica’s season came to an end.

Benfica finished their league campaign with a 3-1 win over Estoril on Saturday and remained unbeaten throughout the season. However, Mourinho’s side still ended the 2025-26 campaign in third place behind Porto and Sporting CP, which means they will not play in next season’s Champions League.

Several reports claim Jose Mourinho has already reached a verbal agreement to become the next Real Madrid manager. He is expected to be officially announced after Los Blancos finish their domestic season against Athletic Club on Saturday, provided Florentino Pérez is re-elected as president.

Mourinho signed a two-year deal with Benfica less than a year ago, but the contract includes a clause that allows him to leave the club for €3 million. Reports also suggest that his salary package at Real Madrid has already been agreed between his agent Jorge Mendes and the Spanish club.

Mourinho has not openly said whether he will move to Madrid and has stayed quiet about his future in recent days. But after Benfica’s last game of the season at the weekend, he said that club president Rui Costa has offered him a new contract, which he is considering carefully.

“It depends on the offer and what [Real Madrid] want from me. We're not talking about one euro more or less. It depends on whether I'm in a position to achieve what they propose. I want, by my own right, to have my time to talk and decide what's best for me.” said José Mourinho while talking to the reporters.

If Mourinho does go back to Madrid, it will be his second spell in charge at the Bernabéu. He previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning one La Liga title in 2011–12 and a Copa del Rey in 2010–11.

His early years in Spain were viewed as a success, as he built a Madrid side capable of challenging Pep Guardiola’s strong Barcelona team.

However, things ended on a rough note as Mourinho’s results began to decline, partly due to off-field issues. His time at the club also saw tensions with referees, rival teams, and even some players, along with a drop in form and no success in the Champions League.