Real Madrid pays €15m clause to bring José Mourinho back to the Bernabéu, ending his Benfica spell
Real Madrid has formalised its intention to pay the €15 million release clause for José Mourinho, luring the Portuguese coach back to the Santiago Bernabéu 13 years after his first departure. Benfica confirmed the move in a regulatory filing on Tuesday evening.
The official confirmation
Benfica disclosed the agreement in a statement to Portugal's securities market commission (CMVM) on Tuesday. The filing confirmed that Real Madrid had formalised its intention to hire José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix for €15 million, the full value of the release clause in his existing contract, and that the coach had consented to the move. A separate note on Benfica's website thanked Mourinho and wished him well.
Real Madrid CF formalised the intention to hire coach José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix for the amount of €15,000,000, corresponding to the release clause of the sports employment contract in force, with the coach having given his agreement to that hiring.
Arbeloa cleared the path
Hours before the Benfica filing, Real Madrid announced the departure of Álvaro Arbeloa as first-team coach. Arbeloa had taken over after Xabi Alonso's exit and oversaw 28 matches, recording 18 wins but no trophies. His tenure ended with a Copa del Rey round-of-16 loss to Albacete, a La Liga title conceded to Barcelona, and a Champions League quarter-final exit. The club's statement thanked him for his loyalty and professionalism, calling the Bernabéu his home.
The deal in Madrid
Super-agent Jorge Mendes was spotted at the Hotel Santo Mauro in Madrid on Tuesday, joined by Spanish agent Oscar Ribot, Real Madrid general director José Ángel Sánchez, and chief scout Juni Calafat. Spanish media reported that Mourinho was also present at the hotel, though not seen by journalists outside. The meeting aimed to finalise the remaining details of the transfer.
Mourinho's second act
Mourinho returns to the club he managed between 2010 and 2013, a period defined by an intense rivalry with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona. He won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup during that first stint. This time he arrives with his trusted core staff: assistant João Tralhão, analyst Roberto Merella, and fitness coach Antonio Dias. The role of current fitness chief Antonio Pintus remains unclear, and the identity of Mourinho's second assistant is unresolved, with former Madrid defender Pepe mentioned as a candidate.
- Real Madrid announces Álvaro Arbeloa's departure as head coach
- Jorge Mendes meets Real Madrid executives at Hotel Santo Mauro in Madrid
- Benfica confirms Real Madrid's intention to pay €15m release clause for Mourinho
- Benfica announces Marco Silva as Mourinho's successor
- Mourinho expected to be officially presented by Real Madrid (per Spanish media)
What comes next
Mourinho is expected to be presented in the coming days and will begin planning pre-season immediately, with daily meetings at Valdebebas. There will be no traditional North American tour; instead, the squad will report directly to the training ground after their holidays. Most first-team players start work in mid-July, with ten World Cup internationals joining later in the month. La Liga kicks off for Madrid on the weekend of 22 August, a week later than most clubs, giving Mourinho extra preparation time.
The Benfica chapter closes
Mourinho's second spell at Benfica lasted less than a full season. He oversaw 45 matches, with 27 wins, 12 draws, and 6 defeats, but did not win any silverware. His successor has already been identified: Marco Silva was announced by Benfica on Tuesday night. The move reverses a narrative from just weeks ago, when Mourinho had publicly stated there was a "99% chance" he would stay at the Lisbon club.
