Club are speaking to the 63-year-old’s representatives and a deal could be agreed by the end of the season
Real Madrid are in discussions over the possibility of bringing back Jose Mourinho as their next head coach, with club president Florentino Perez reportedly leading the process.
Mourinho has emerged as Perez’s preferred candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who stepped up from Madrid’s reserve side earlier this year after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso.
Talks are ongoing and super-agent Jorge Mendes is handling discussions on Mourinho’s behalf. The 63-year-old is currently managing Benfica, where he remains under contract until 2027.
Any move would require Madrid to trigger a release clause worth around €3m. Mourinho’s deal reportedly includes a condition allowing him to leave within 10 days of Benfica’s season ending if the fee is paid.
While Mourinho is said to be content in Portugal and Benfica are eager to extend his stay, the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager is open to returning to Madrid, where he previously spent three years.
Madrid have also considered other candidates. Mauricio Pochettino, currently in charge of USA, has been discussed among senior figures at the club, while former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri and France manager Didier Deschamps have also been admired.
However, Madrid’s interest in Mourinho is understood to be the most advanced at this stage.
Klopp has repeatedly stated he is happy in his current role with Red Bull after taking over as the group’s global head of soccer in January 2025. Pochettino, meanwhile, said in April that he had not spoken with Madrid and would be open to staying with USA beyond the next World Cup.
Madrid are set to end the second season in a row without silverware, a situation Perez labelled an “intolerable failure” in April.
