Mourinho Opens Door to Real Madrid Return, Says Decision Coming ‘This Week’

Jose Mourinho in talks over Real Madrid job as Arbeloa exit looms

Mourinho has won the Champions League twice and managed Chelsea, Inter, Manchester United, and Tottenham during his career.

Mourinho, who won La Liga and the Copa del Rey during his 2010-2013 spell at Real, remains under contract at Benfica until 2027...

Jose Mourinho said he could return to Real Madrid and confirmed his agent is speaking with the club. The Benfica manager added that no formal offer has arrived and he isn’t rushing a decision.

The 63-year-old guided Benfica through an unbeaten league campaign this season, finishing third in Portugal’s top division. Reports in Spain and Portugal now link him to the Real job, with Alvaro Arbeloa expected to leave.

Mourinho previously spent three years at Real, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey. He’s contracted to Benfica until June 2027, and the club has already put a contract extension on the table.

“My future should be decided this week,” Mourinho told reporters on Saturday.

“I have a proposal from Benfica. I don't have a proposal from Real Madrid. At the same time, I was saying that to hide that ⁠there is nothing, we cannot do that, there is something, but not with me directly.

“I need time, I need space, I need time to make my decision, and this week I think ‌is going to be very important.”

Ahead of Real’s La Liga match against Sevilla, Alvaro Arbeloa spoke highly of Mourinho and said he would welcome him back to the club. Mourinho managed Real between 2010 and 2013.

🚨 José Mourinho finishes the season undefeated at Benfica in Portuguese league, another win today on his likely last game at the club.

23 wins, 11 draws, 0 defeats.

Benfica will play Europa League next year. 🦅 pic.twitter.com/aFc0mO6NLb

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 16, 2026

“For me, as one of his players, but above all as a Real Madrid fan, I feel he's number one, and I think he is number one,” Arbeloa said on Saturday.

“And I think ‌I felt that way a month ago and I'll continue to feel that Jose has been, is and ‌always will be one of us, and if he's the one here next season, I'll be very happy to see him back home.”

Mourinho has managed Chelsea, Inter Milan, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur during his career, and he has won the Champions League twice.