Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has identified Benfica manager Jose Mourinho as his primary target to take over at the Bernabéu this summer, according to reports from The Athletic. The 63-year-old is the preferred choice to replace interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who is expected to depart at the end of the current campaign. Mourinho, who previously managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, is under contract in Lisbon until June 2027, but a €3 million (£2.6m) break clause in his deal can be triggered within 10 days of the season’s conclusion.
Perez takes personal control of Real Madrid search
The pursuit of Mourinho marks a significant shift in Madrid’s internal recruitment process. Writing in The Athletic, David Ornstein and Mario Cortegana report that Perez is personally driving the appointment, whereas the hiring of former manager Xabi Alonso in 2025 was led by general manager Jose Angel Sanchez. Sources indicate the president believes the first-team project has "fallen into disrepair" and requires the authoritative management style associated with Mourinho to restore discipline. This urgency stems from a period of rare instability; Madrid are nearing a second consecutive season without a major trophy, currently trailing Barcelona by 11 points in La Liga and having exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
Managing the Bernabéu dressing room and tactical fit
While Mourinho represents a return to a proven winner, his appointment would face immediate scrutiny regarding squad harmony. Following a Champions League meeting between Benfica and Madrid in February 2026, Mourinho faced public criticism from Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after suggesting Vinicius Junior had "provoked" certain incidents on the pitch. Managing this relationship will be a priority for a squad that has seen three different leaders in 12 months, following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure and the short-lived six-month tenure of Xabi Alonso. Madrid’s willingness to meet the £2.6m release clause is viewed as a low-cost solution compared to the €15m paid to Bayer Leverkusen for Alonso’s services just a year ago.
Negotiations are expected to accelerate once the break clause window opens at the end of May.