José Mourinho is once again fueling explosive rumors about his future, categorically dismissing the possibility of taking over a national team and leaving the door wide open for a sensational return to Real Madrid. The Portuguese coach, currently at the helm of Benfica and under contract until 2027, has a release clause that can be activated at the end of this season, a clear indication that his destination may be about to change.
Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, seems to have Mourinho at the top of his list to replace Álvaro Arbeloa, who is set to leave the club at the end of the year. The relationship between Pérez and Mourinho is strong, built during the three years the coach was in charge of the Merengues, from 2010 to 2013, a period in which he won La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
Despite the speculation surrounding the position in the Portuguese national team, currently led by Roberto Martínez, whose contract expires after the World Cup, Mourinho categorically dismissed this possibility. In statements to the Italian press during a promotional tour, Mourinho was emphatic: “I think about international football, but I also think about my life without club football – without training every day, without winning, losing, or drawing three times a week. Being happy, sad, frustrated, wanting to improve… I can’t imagine my life without these emotions. It’s not the time for a national team yet.”
The Spanish newspaper AS reports that Mourinho wants to have his future at Benfica defined by May 24, a date that could be decisive for the coaching market. He is not alone in the race for the Real Madrid throne: Lionel Scaloni, the Argentine who led Argentina to the title at the 2022 World Cup, and Julen Lopetegui are also names in the equation.
But would Mourinho’s return to the Bernabéu be a step forward or a regression? An analysis of his playing style shows that football has evolved significantly since the ‘Special One’ was in Madrid. Major European winners, such as Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, dominate possession, press high, and prioritize attacking football. In contrast, Mourinho’s Benfica ranks a modest 27th out of 36 teams in the Champions League in possession statistics, with only 45.2%, far behind PSG’s 63%, Barcelona’s 60.6%, and Bayern’s 58.1%.
This data reveals a coach loyal to a pragmatic approach, which may not align with the modern football that Real Madrid aims to practice in order to reclaim its dominance in the European landscape. Meanwhile, names like Andoni Iraola, currently at Bournemouth, emerge as fresh alternatives with the potential to restore the Spanish club’s prominence that it so eagerly seeks.
The Mourinho-Real Madrid saga is far from over, but the future of the Portuguese coach promises to be one of the most exciting and decisive chapters of the upcoming football season. A decision will be made soon, and the eyes of the world will be on Lisbon and Madrid, where the next episode of this story of power, ambition, and glory is being written.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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