Lisbon. José Mourinho will return to the Real Madrid bench. Benfica confirmed this Tuesday that the Spanish team will pay the 15 million euros corresponding to the Portuguese coach’s release clause, who accepted the proposal to begin a new chapter at the Merengue club.
The information was officially disclosed by the Lisbon club through a statement sent to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM).
“Real Madrid CF formalized the intention to hire coach José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix for the value of 15 million euros, corresponding to the termination clause of the current sports contract, with the coach being in agreement with said hiring”, explained Benfica.
Following the announcement, the Portuguese institution also published a message of gratitude towards Mourinho, highlighting the undefeated period he led in the Liga Portugal and wishing him success in his next challenge.
More Read
Second stage at the Santiago Bernabéu
Mourinho, 63, had signed with Benfica until 2027 after returning to the club in September 2025 to replace Bruno Lage. Although there was a ten-day reflection period after the end of the season to evaluate the continuity of the project, both parties kept the bond active, thus forcing Real Madrid to execute the full clause.
The Portuguese coach closed the campaign without defeats in the local league, although Benfica finished in third position and without winning any titles.
Now, “The Special One” will begin his second adventure at the helm of Real Madrid, the club he managed between 2010 and 2013 in one of the most intense periods of recent European football.
During his first experience in Madrid, Mourinho won a Spanish League, a Copa del Rey, and a Spanish Super Cup, in addition to building a record-breaking team that reached 100 points in the 2011-12 LaLiga season.
One of the most successful careers in modern football
Considered one of the most influential and high-profile coaches of the 21st century, Mourinho has left his mark on practically every club he has managed.
His honors include two Champions Leagues, two Europa Leagues, and one Conference League, becoming the first coach in history to win the three main European club competitions.
In addition, he has been a league champion in Portugal, England, Italy, and Spain, consolidating a career marked by titles, a strong personality, and a recognized ability to manage high-pressure dressing rooms.
The Portuguese started his career as head coach precisely at Benfica in the year 2000, although that first stint lasted just eleven matches due to differences with the board at the time.
More than two decades later, Mourinho returns once again to the stage where he experienced some of the most intense moments of his career: Real Madrid.
