Benfica wants to renew with Mourinho before the start of the next season.

The future of José Mourinho at Benfica is set to be decided soon and could shake up the Portuguese football scene in the coming months. After months of pressure from the coach to secure his continuity at the helm of the Eagles, Benfica’s SAD is preparing to move forward with a contract renewal ahead of the start of the next season, a strategic turnaround driven by the team’s impressive performance. However, the shadow of Real Madrid, which has already expressed interest in the Special One, could complicate the Eagles’ plans.

José Mourinho, the charismatic 53-year-old Portuguese coach, has shown himself to be available and determined to extend his ties with Benfica, demanding a clear response from the board led by Rui Costa. Despite the coach’s insistence for several months, the club president has maintained a cautious stance, postponing the renewal until after the end of the season. However, the recent victory in the derby against Sporting, 2-1 at Alvalade, and the real possibility of securing a spot in the Champions League have propelled the issue to the SAD’s priority agenda.

Sources close to the club confirm that Rui Costa has changed strategy and is now focused on ensuring Mourinho’s continuity ahead of the start of the next 2026/27 season. This decision comes as a clear attempt to consolidate the stability of the sports project and to prevent external interests, particularly from Real Madrid, from causing instability. The club knows that only an irresistible offer from the Spanish giant could lure the Special One away from Lisbon, making the renewal a race against time and European rivals.

This scenario makes Benfica one of the active players in the coaching market for the upcoming season, at a time when the team is also fighting for additional access to the Champions League, thanks to Portugal’s high coefficient in UEFA. Mourinho’s persistence in renewing reveals his ambition and confidence in the Benfica project, while Rui Costa seeks to ensure that the coach will continue to lead the team, keeping it competitive at the highest level.

Amidst this saga, Benfica is strengthening its position in the national and international landscape, preventing rumors and external interests from disrupting the team’s stability. Mourinho’s renewal could be the decisive boost for a new era of glory at the Estádio da Luz, consolidating the presence of one of the most successful coaches in world football.

In summary, the conclusion of this story promises to be one of the most anticipated moments in Portuguese football, with Benfica preparing to secure its future with José Mourinho, while keeping a close eye on the movements of Real Madrid. The official confirmation may occur in the coming weeks, but the message is already clear: the Special One wants to stay, and Benfica wants him for much longer.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.