Benfica make u-turn on Mourinho future with club after Real Madrid interest

As the 2025/26 season enters its final stretch, Benfica president Rui Costa is reportedly pushing to secure the long-term future of manager Jose Mourinho amid growing speculation linking the Special One with a sensational return to Real Madrid. Mourinho, who returned to the Estadio da Luz in September 2025, is currently contracted to Benfica until June 2027.

However, the deal includes a break clause that allows either party to terminate the agreement in the 10 days following the final match of this season. This effectively means Mourinho could depart the club for free or for a relatively low compensation fee according to some reports, if no new agreement is reached. According to recent reports, Mourinho has already submitted a detailed proposal for a contract extension, signalling his desire to remain at Benfica beyond the current terms and his desire to get the club to the Champions League.

Yet President Rui Costa has so far preferred to honour the existing deal, creating a subtle but noticeable tension behind the scenes. With Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said to view Mourinho as his preferred candidate to replace interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa, the pressure is mounting on Benfica’s board. Costa, who brought Mourinho back to the club, now faces a critical decision, does he offer the experienced tactician the security and improved terms he seeks, or risk losing one of the most charismatic figures in world football on a potentially a free exit this summer. 

For Benfica fans, the coming weeks will be decisive. Can Rui Costa convince Mourinho that his project at the Eagles is worth committing to long-term, or will the pull of another spell at the Santiago Bernabeu prove too strong to resist. The two sides are talking and a decision will come one way or another, we will just need to find out which direction the decision goes goes in the coming weeks.