José Mourinho has confirmed that his future at Benfica will be decided at the end of the current season, with a 10-day window to determine whether he remains at the Estádio da Luz or departs for another club. The Portuguese manager made the remarks during a press conference ahead of Benfica’s Liga Portugal match against Moreirense on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Speaking in Lisbon, Mourinho dismissed ongoing speculation about a potential return to Real Madrid, reiterating his commitment to Benfica despite persistent rumors linking him with the Spanish giants. “No hay ningún problema” with the club or its president Rui Costa, he stated, using irony to address reports of dissatisfaction: “Solo estoy enfadado porque, no sé por qué, pero no me han dado mi insignia de 25 años como abonado. Creo que se olvidaron de mí. Por lo demás, todo bien, no hay absolutamente ningún problema.”
The 63-year-old coach, who returned to Benfica in September 2025 to succeed Bruno Lage, emphasized that he had already said enough about his situation. “Ya he hablado lo suficiente, quizá más de lo necesario,” he said, before clarifying the timeline for a decision: “Cuando termine la temporada, tendremos 10 días para seguir o separarnos.”
Mourinho’s current contract with Benfica runs until the summer of 2027, a detail confirmed by multiple Portuguese sports outlets following his appointment last season. Despite the long-term agreement, the end-of-season evaluation period has become a focal point of discussion, particularly as Real Madrid prepares to assess its own managerial situation.
The Spanish club is reportedly considering Mourinho as a potential replacement for Álvaro Arbeloa, who has been linked with a departure from the Santiago Bernabéu bench. Mourinho previously coached Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning a La Liga title in his first season and departing amid heightened scrutiny in his third year.
Reports from Portuguese media indicate that Benfica president Rui Costa convened urgent talks with Mourinho after a 2-2 draw against Casa Pia in late March 2026, a result that intensified scrutiny over the team’s consistency. Sources close to the club confirmed that Costa sought clarity on the technical direction and transfer planning for the 2026/27 season, ultimately affirming his support for Mourinho’s continuation.
Mourinho has publicly backed Benfica’s long-term vision, citing stability as a priority. Ahead of the team’s 1-2 victory over Sporting CP in the Lisbon derby on April 19, 2026 — a match in which Rafa scored the winning goal in stoppage time — he praised the squad’s resilience and reiterated his focus on continuity in the project initiated after Bruno Lage’s dismissal.
Despite the external interest, Mourinho has maintained that his immediate focus remains on finishing the current Liga Portugal campaign strongly. Benfica, sitting in contention for European qualification, prepares to face Moreirense in what is the 31st matchday of the season.
The 10-day decision window Mourinho referenced aligns with standard procedural timelines in Portuguese football contracts, allowing either party to activate clauses related to continuation or separation following the conclusion of competitive fixtures. No specific financial terms or release figures tied to such a clause have been disclosed by official sources.
As of Friday, April 24, 2026, no formal approach from Real Madrid to Benfica regarding Mourinho’s availability has been verified by club representatives or league authorities. The manager’s representatives have not commented on the nature of any potential interest, and La Liga has not issued any statement concerning managerial negotiations involving Real Madrid.
Benfica’s next official update on Mourinho’s status is expected after the final match of the season, when the 10-day evaluation period would begin. Until then, the manager remains focused on preparing his squad for the upcoming fixture against Moreirense at the Estádio da Luz.
For continued coverage of Benfica’s season and developments regarding José Mourinho’s future, readers are encouraged to follow official club communications and verified sports news sources.
