Verbal Agreement Reached: Mourinho Set For Stunning Real Madrid Return

MADRID/LISBON — Jose Mourinho is on the verge of completing a sensational return to Real Madrid, with football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reporting that all terms have been verbally agreed between the Portuguese coach and the Spanish giants. Only the signing of official documents remains before the deal is confirmed, marking what would be one of the most dramatic managerial comebacks in European football in recent years.

According to Romano, Mourinho has already agreed to an initial two-year contract and is expected to travel to Madrid immediately after Real Madrid’s final La Liga clash against Athletic Club to finalize the paperwork and undergo the official unveiling. Sources close to the negotiations indicate that the veteran Portuguese manager has already reached a full agreement in principle with the Madrid hierarchy, with only final documentation and official signatures remaining before the deal is confirmed. The announcement could come as early as next weekend, following president Florentino Perez’s expected re-election.

The 63-year-old Portuguese manager has spent the past eight months at Benfica, guiding them to an unbeaten Primeira Liga campaign (23 wins, 11 draws) — only the fifth team to achieve that feat this millennium. Despite finishing third behind Porto and Sporting CP, Mourinho has openly admitted that a return to the Bernabeu is increasingly likely. According to reports emerging from Spain, the former Madrid boss never created complications during negotiations, making it clear from the outset that his priority was a return to the Santiago Bernabéu. Financial details are understood to have been resolved swiftly as Mourinho’s desire to rejoin the club outweighed lengthy contractual disputes.

Speaking to Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill after Benfica’s final match of the season, Mourinho gave his most candid indication yet about his future. “My future should be decided this week,” he said at his press conference. “I need time. I need space. I need time to make my decision. This week I think will be very important.” When pressed directly about Real Madrid, Mourinho revealed that while he has not personally spoken to Perez, contacts exist between the Madrid president and his agent Jorge Mendes. “I don’t have a proposal from Real Madrid,” he admitted. “But to hide, to say there is nothing, I cannot do that. There is something. But not with me directly.” He added: “I’m not stupid… between the club and Jorge there are contacts” that will be extended to him during the coming week.

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Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning a historic La Liga title with a record-breaking 100-point campaign while also lifting the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. His first spell at the club was marked by fierce rivalries, intense dressing-room battles and a relentless competitive mentality that restored Madrid’s domestic dominance during an era heavily controlled by FC Barcelona. His 72 per cent win rate at Real Madrid has not been bettered by any of those who followed him, including Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti.

The decision to bring back “The Special One” comes as Real Madrid faces internal turmoil. The club is set to end the second consecutive season without major silverware, and dressing room tensions have escalated, including a reported serious altercation between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde, as well as Kylian Mbappe’s public criticism of the team’s lack of structure and style of play. Club insiders believe Madrid sees Mourinho as the ideal figure to restore authority, discipline and elite mentality within the squad following growing pressure surrounding the team’s recent performances.

Mourinho has reportedly set two conditions for his return to the Bernabeu. The first concerns the coach’s voice in transfer deals — not necessarily the final decision, but meaningful involvement in identifying areas that need strengthening. The second relates to the team’s operational structure, with Mourinho wanting the hierarchy and responsibilities of each department to be clearly respected to avoid situations like the reported disrespectful incident involving Vinicius Junior under Xabi Alonso. These demands are reminiscent of his first spell at the club, where he insisted on full control and the main word in transfers.

The financial mechanics of the move are straightforward. Mourinho’s current Benfica contract, signed just eight months ago and running until 2027, contains a release clause of approximately €3 million (around £2.6m) . This clause becomes active within a 10-day window following Benfica’s final match of the season, which concluded on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Estoril. The relatively modest fee would pose no obstacle for a club of Real Madrid’s financial stature.

Benfica president Rui Costa has publicly declared his desire to keep Mourinho, stating: “José Mourinho is the coach of Benfica — as long as the opposite is not proven.” Costa also confirmed that the club had presented a formal contract renewal offer to the Portuguese manager last week. However, the decision ultimately rests with Mourinho, who has kept his cards close to his chest throughout the closing stages of the season. Benfica has offered him an improved contract extension, though the Portuguese tactician has admitted he has not even looked at the proposal, telling reporters he would only consider it after the season ended.

Current Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa, whose departure would be required to accommodate Mourinho’s return, has publicly endorsed his former teammate and coach. “For me, as one of his players, but above all as a Real Madrid fan, I feel he’s number one,” Arbeloa said. “If he’s the one here next season, I’ll be very happy to see him back home.” Arbeloa’s tenure is expected to end after a trophyless campaign, and he has made it clear he holds no bitterness about being replaced by the Portuguese legend.

Veteran sports reporter Nuno Luz of SIC television channel, who has covered Mourinho for over 30 years, told Sky Sports: “I have no doubt that he will be the next Real Madrid manager. For Mourinho, it is crucial to return to the very epicentre of world football. Managing Real Madrid again, especially with the benefit of his past experience there, will provide him with the tools to succeed at a club that is currently riddled with internal issues.”

The timing of the potential announcement is significant. Perez is expected to be re-elected unopposed as Real Madrid president next weekend, on the day of the club’s final La Liga fixture against Athletic Club. This political stability could pave the way for an immediate announcement once the Spanish season concludes. Mourinho is reportedly expected to travel to Madrid immediately after his side’s clash against Athletic Bilbao, where final meetings and paperwork are anticipated to take place before the official unveiling.

Mourinho has other options on the table as well. There is also a long-standing offer to manage the Portugal national team, with the country set to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Morocco. However, the Real Madrid job appears by far the most likely destination. Fans across social media have reacted with excitement and disbelief at the prospect of “The Special One” returning to the Bernabeu dugout more than a decade after his departure.

Should the final paperwork be completed as expected, Mourinho’s return would instantly become one of the biggest stories of the European summer and potentially reshape Real Madrid’s ambitions both domestically and in the UEFA Champions League. As Mourinho himself put it after leading Benfica to their invincible campaign: “It’s something to make me proud as the leader of the group.” Now, he prepares to lead again — this time back where it all began 13 years ago, at the very epicentre of world football.

Verbal Agreement Reached: Mourinho Set For Stunning Real Madrid Return