Could “The Special One” be headed back to the Bernabeu?
Fabrizio Romano reports Jose Mourinho is open to a return to Real Madrid.
🚨 José Mourinho remains keen on Real Madrid return as reported two weeks ago.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 28, 2026
Florentino Pérez will decide personally; JM, among 4 candidates for the job.
Benfica want José to stay; there’s €6m gross break clause only valid until final days of May.
🎥 https://t.co/PNtxPwgigp pic.twitter.com/JdMZoZb7Hu
The news comes hours after The Athletic’s David Ornstein and Mario Cortegana reported that the 63-year-old Benfica boss is Real president Florentino Perez’s first choice to replace manager Alvaro Arbeloa for next season.
Romano notes that, while Benfica hopes Mourinho would stay, he does have a €6 million out clause in his deal with the team that is valid until the end of May.
Bringing a manager back wouldn’t be anything new for Real Madrid. The likes of Carlo Ancelotti, Fabio Capello and John Toshack are among the number of managers who have come back for a second stint with Los Blancos.
Mourinho spent three seasons at the Bernabeu from 2010 to 2013. He posted a record of 128-28-22 over his tenure. He won both a La Liga title and a Copa del Rey.
A native of Setubal, Portugal, Mourinho has also spent time at Fenerbahce, Roma, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Chelsea, Inter and Porto over his 25-year career. Mourinho teams have won eight league titles, four national cups, a Europa Conference League, two Europa Leagues and two Champions League titles.
Arbeloa took the reins of Los Blancos upon the firing of first-year coach Xabi Alonso back in January. Currently sitting in second place in the table, Real trails first-place Barcelona by 11 points with five matches to play. Real is poised for back-to-back trophyless seasons for the first time since 2009 and 2010.
