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Mourinho will probably be twice as expensive for Real
May 25, 2026 – 7:51 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The return of “The Special One” to the Royals is just a formality. But it doesn’t come about as quickly as planned. This will probably cost the Madrilenians dearly.
Real Madrid are apparently having to dig deeper into their pockets than initially thought to woo José Mourinho. Spanish media have been reporting for days that the Portuguese is set to leave Benfica Lisbon and become coach of the Royals again.
So far, Real would have had to pay seven million euros in transfer fee. This sum was regulated by a release clause that Mourinho could have used within ten days of the end of the season.
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But the change is on hold for the time being. The background is the power struggle among the Madrilenians. Club boss Florentino Pérez called for new elections two weeks ago and the vote will take place on June 7th. There is an opposing candidate in Enrique Riquelme. That’s why we’re waiting for the election results first.
This probably has financial consequences for Real. Because the ten-day clause expires, the transfer fee is expected to double to 14 million euros, according to media reports. The Spanish newspaper “Marca” reported that Pérez actually wanted to introduce Mourinho as the new coach this Monday.
Benfica has already chosen a Mourinho successor
Nothing came of it. According to the report, Benfica still assumes that the change will take place. Mourinho himself is said to have already reached an agreement with Real.
His successor in Lisbon also seems to have been found. Marco Silva should take over the position. The 48-year-old has been coaching Premier League club Fulham since 2021 and led the London club to eleventh place in the season that just ended.
Mourinho was coach at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. During this time he won the championship, the cup and the Supercup with the Royals. However, he was denied the Champions League title. Towards the end of his term there was also a falling out with the team and club management after he put goalkeeper legend Iker Casillas on the bench.
On Saturday, “The Special One” was a guest in the stands at the DFB Cup final in Berlin and, at the invitation of VfB Stuttgart, watched FC Bayern’s 3-0 win over the Swabians live in the Olympic Stadium.
