Jose Mourinho, currently Benfica's manager under contract until 2027, is finalizing negotiations to return as Real Madrid head coach on a two-year deal starting next season [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Mourinho led Benfica to an unbeaten 2025-26 season with 23 wins and 11 draws but finished third in the Portuguese Primeira Liga [1, 2, 5, 6]. Benfica is expected to receive about 7 million euros (approximately US$8 million) in compensation for Mourinho’s early contract termination [2, 3, 4, 6, 7].
At 63 years old, Mourinho previously coached Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. He has also won the UEFA Champions League twice with other clubs [1, 2, 5, 6]. Reports suggest Paulo Fonseca Amorim, former Manchester United coach, may replace Mourinho at Benfica [7].
Alvaro Arbeloa, 43, has served as Real Madrid’s interim head coach since January after Xabi Alonso's dismissal but will leave the club at the end of the season and will not join Mourinho’s coaching staff [8, 9, 10, 11]. Arbeloa said, "Mou has a fantastic coaching staff; he’s very well supported. If he arrives, he’ll bring his own team with him, as it should be. There’s no chance I’ll be working with him" [8]. He described Real Madrid as his home after 20 years with the club and expressed hope for a future role there, saying, "I hope it’s just a ‘see you later’" [10].
Real Madrid finished second in La Liga, 11 points behind champions Barcelona, and were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, ending the 2025-26 season trophy-less once again [2, 9, 3, 4]. The club recently punished players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni with €500,000 fines each for a dressing room fight incident [8, 10].
Mourinho said on May 17 he expected to decide his future soon, stating, "My future should be decided this week. I have a proposal from Benfica. I don't have a proposal from Real Madrid. At the same time, 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" [1]. By May 18 several reports confirmed he had agreed verbally to return to Madrid and informed Benfica of his departure [2, 3, 4]. Arbeloa publicly welcomed Mourinho’s return on May 16, calling him "number one" and saying, "If he's the one here next season, I'll be very happy to see him back home" [1].
Arbeloa confirmed on May 22 he will leave his coaching role at season’s end and not be part of Mourinho's staff [8, 9, 10, 11]. According to Fabrizio Romano, "All terms have been verbally agreed between Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid, waiting to sign all documents. Plan for initial two year deal, JM to travel to Madrid after Real-Bilbao game. The Special One is back" [2].
