Portuguese giants Benfica have officially parted ways with veteran manager Jose Mourinho amid reports that he is on the verge of making a sensational return to Real Madrid.
In a statement released on Tuesday and filed with Portugal’s financial markets regulator, Benfica disclosed that Real Madrid had formally expressed its intention to secure Mourinho’s services by activating the €15 million (£17.25 million) release clause contained in his contract.
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The Lisbon-based club subsequently announced the appointment of Marco Silva as Mourinho’s successor. Silva has agreed to a two-year contract after departing Premier League side Fulham, where he spent five seasons in charge.
Mourinho’s anticipated return to the Santiago Bernabeu gained momentum following the re-election of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez over the weekend.
The 63-year-old coach previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, overseeing one of the most intense periods in Spanish football due to the fierce rivalry between Madrid and Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
During his first spell with Los Blancos, Mourinho guided the club to a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey triumph and a Spanish Super Cup victory.
His expected reappointment represents a significant gamble for Perez as the club seeks to bounce back from a disappointing 2025/26 campaign. Real Madrid ended the season without winning a major trophy, extending their drought to two consecutive years.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Spanish club also confirmed the departure of head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa, who took charge in January after replacing Xabi Alonso, had previously announced his intention to step down at the conclusion of the season, bringing his brief tenure to an end.
AFP
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