“Mourinho demands a quick decision about his future amid rumors of Real Madrid.”

In the background of European football, a whirlwind of rumors is stirring the market: José Mourinho, the iconic Portuguese coach, is about to decide his future, and all signs point to a possible explosive return to Real Madrid. The current coach of SL Benfica is at the center of attention, with secret negotiations and tight deadlines promising to shake up the upcoming season.

In recent days, speculation about Mourinho’s return to the managerial role at Real Madrid has gained uncontrollable momentum. Sources close to the Spanish club reveal that Florentino Pérez, the Real Madrid president, has the Portuguese as the main candidate to replace Álvaro Arbeloa, in a decision that could change the course of the Spanish giant. Conversations between Pérez and Jorge Mendes, Mourinho’s agent, are direct and intense, signaling that an agreement may be closer than one might think.

According to the newspaper AS, Mourinho has set a deadline: he wants to have his situation resolved by May 24. The coach is considering three distinct scenarios for his future. Firstly, he could continue at Benfica, with a renewal proposal that would include a high release clause, ensuring a long-term connection between the parties. Mourinho has already submitted a dossier outlining his conditions for the 2026/27 season, the final year of his current contract, and now the ball is in Rui Costa’s court, the president of Benfica and responsible for his hiring.

The second scenario involves an immediate change in coaching, should Benfica decide to proceed with a replacement, something that is not entirely ruled out in Portugal, where the pressure for results is constant and relentless. Finally, the third scenario entails the possibility of Mourinho accepting an offer from another club, namely Real Madrid, activating a relatively low release clause, equal to the amount Benfica would have to pay if they were to dismiss him this summer. This mechanism creates a win-win situation for the coach.

Mourinho has informed Benfica’s management that he will only wait until about a week after the end of the Primeira Liga, which concludes on May 16 with the match against Estoril Praia. This date is not random: both the Premier League and LaLiga finish their seasons between May 23 and 24, precisely the period in which Mourinho wants everything settled, as these are the markets he intends to operate in.

On the Real Madrid side, the strategy is one of calm and careful observation. The Spanish club knows exactly the conditions that would allow for the departure of the Benfica coach and maintains, despite Mourinho’s controversial past at the Bernabéu, a strong relationship with the manager. However, the Madrid board prefers to proceed with caution before making definitive decisions about the future of the coaching position.

This situation promises to be one of the most exciting and decisive chapters of the season, with José Mourinho at the center of a possible return to Real Madrid that could shake European football. The coming days will be crucial for the future of the Portuguese coach, whose decision will shape the future of two giants of world football. The countdown has begun — the football world is in suspense.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.