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José Mourinho is set to make a sensational return to the Real Madrid bench after years away from the Spanish capital.
The Portuguese tactician became the chosen one to lead a new era at the Santiago Bernabéu as Los Blancos paid Mourinho’s release clause to Benfica to facilitate his sensational return 13 years after his departure.
Real Madrid have officially paved the way for Mourinho’s return to the club after paying his release clause to Benfica.
Sky Sport Italia reports that the Spanish giants have triggered the €3 million fee needed to terminate his contract with the Lisbon-based team on Monday May 18.
This decision marks a decisive step in Florentino Perez’s plan to bring the “Special One” back to Madrid.
Mourinho is now legally free to formalize his deal with the club where he spent three high-profile seasons between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.
A two-year deal on the table
Negotiations between the club and Mourinho’s representative Jorge Mendes have progressed rapidly in recent days.
While the coach had recently hinted there was a strong chance of remaining in Portugal, the opportunity to lead a rebuilding project at the Bernabeu proved impossible to turn down.
Mourinho has reportedly reached a verbal agreement on a two-year contract to take over after the conclusion of the current campaign.
The coach recently commented on the situation, saying: “I haven’t heard anything from Real Madrid yet, but none of us are naive, and there are conversations between Jorge [Mendes]the president and management of the club.
“I will speak personally with Real Madrid next week and then I will make my decision. So far there have only been discussions between Real Madrid and Jorge Mendes, not with me.”
Perez sets announcement date
Perez is keen to act quickly after a trophyless season which saw Madrid finish second behind rivals Barcelona.
Reports suggest that the club has already scheduled an internal schedule to introduce Mourinho as the new head coach once the domestic season officially ends.
It is expected to announce the return of the Portuguese tactician next Sunday or Monday.
It coincides with the end of the La Liga season, with Madrid’s final match against Athletic Club this Saturday.
Perez believes Mourinho’s character is key to managing a dressing room that requires discipline and a winning mentality.
Impact of the next elections
The appointment comes at a politically sensitive time for the club, as Perez recently called for new presidential elections.
Candidates have until May 23 to enter the race, and while Perez is expected to win re-election, he has reportedly considered the possibility of a change in leadership.
Sources indicate that a specific clause could be included in Mourinho’s contract to protect the club and any potential new president, although Perez remains the driving force behind the deal.
Mourinho is set to succeed Alvaro Arbeloa and is already identifying areas for improvement, focusing specifically on squad fitness and rotation policies to combat a recent injury outbreak.
FIFA World Cup 2026: how to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34), with each game streamed live and on-demand in the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, along with the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
