Jose Mourinho sets record straight on Real Madrid interest as contract offer mooted

Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho has finally addressed reports linking him with a shock return to Real Madrid.

Mourinho previously managed Los Blancos to one La Liga title and one Copa del Rey triumph between 2010 and 2013.

Earlier this week, almost 13 years on from his departure from the Spanish giants, a report from The Athletic claimed that he is club president Florentino Perez’s favoured candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa at the end of the current campaign.

Mourinho is currently Benfica boss and is contracted to the Lisbon club until June 2027, with a reported €3 million break clause allowing him to leave up to 10 days before the climax of the current campaign.

Despite several reports suggesting that Jurgen Klopp, Didier Deschamps, Mauricio Pochettino and Lionel Scaloni are among the potential candidates, Perez favours Mourinho’s experience and trophy-winning know-how.

However, other members of Real Madrid’s hierarchy, as well as members of the playing squad, do not share the same view.

On Friday, Mourinho finally addressed the reports linking him with a return to Real Madrid during a press conference previewing Benfica’s Liga Portugal clash with Famalicao on Saturday.

“No one from Real Madrid has spoken to me. I can guarantee that,” Mourinho said.

“I’ve been in football for so many years, and I’m used to these things… but there’s nothing from Real Madrid,” he added.

“I have a year to go on my Benfica contract, and that’s all.”

Several reports from Portugal also claim that Benfica are considering offering Mourinho a new deal in order to stave off Real’s supposed interest, although this has not been confirmed by the club.

Meanwhile, La Liga president Javier Tebas has welcomed the ‘Special One’ returning to Spain’s top flight, claiming it would be “good” for Real Madrid.

“If that’s what Real Madrid and its management decide, it will be good for Real Madrid in this case,” Tebas said.

“And Mourinho is always a show, a spectacle, and that’s good for La Liga.”

Los Blancos will likely finish the campaign trophyless for a second successive season, with Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and current boss Arbeloa all unable to guide the side to silverware over the past two campaigns, while Barcelona continue to add to their tally of titles.

Real Madrid are next in action away to Espanyol on May 3.