Mourinho Poised for Dramatic Real Return

José Mourinho is close to returning to Real Madrid, according to multiple reports published on May 15, a move that would bring the Portuguese coach back to the Bernabéu 13 years after his first spell ended. The reports say Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez wants Mourinho to take charge after the end of the La Liga season. Real Madrid have not announced a coaching change, and Mourinho said earlier this month that no one from the Spanish club had spoken to him directly. Benfica, Mourinho's current club, have him under contract through the end of the 2026-27 season. Florentino Pérez added to the uncertainty on May 12 when he announced that Real Madrid would hold presidential elections and that he would run again with his current board, according to the club's official website. Real Madrid's own schedule page says the team still have league matches against Sevilla on May 17 and Athletic Club on May 23. That leaves the timing of any formal move tied to the end of the domestic campaign. ### What exactly has been reported about Mourinho's return? The Telegraph reported on May 13 that Mourinho was on the verge of being named Real Madrid manager and that details of the appointment would be finalized after the Spanish league season. The Athletic reported on May 15 that talks were progressing, while the Irish Times described the return as likely to end a 13-year wait for Mourinho's comeback. Sky Sports reported on May 11 that Mourinho was increasingly likely to become Real Madrid's next head coach and said work was taking place behind the scenes on his behalf. None of those reports amounted to an official confirmation from Real Madrid or Benfica. ### What has Mourinho said himself? José Mourinho said on May 2 that "no one from Real Madrid has spoken to me," according to comments carried by SportBible from his Benfica news conference. The 63-year-old added that he was used to speculation and denied direct contact with the club. Benfica's official site shows Mourinho was presented as coach on Sept. 18, 2025, and the club disclosed in a regulatory statement that his contract runs until the end of the 2026-27 season. Any departure would therefore require Benfica's involvement unless the terms of an exit are agreed. ### Why is Real Madrid's timeline so tight? Real Madrid's official website says the club beat Oviedo 2-0 on May 14 and have two league matches left — away to Sevilla on May 17 and at home to Athletic Club on May 23. Reports in British and Irish media have said any announcement on the coaching position would come after those fixtures. Florentino Pérez also used his May 12 appearance to announce fresh elections. The club president said he would seek another mandate, according to Real Madrid's published transcript, placing a political process alongside the sporting decisions now facing the club. ### What is Mourinho returning to? Mourinho managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013 and won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup during that period, according to widely cited records of his first spell. His relationship with Pérez remained a recurring point in current coverage, with Sky Sports reporting that the two men had stayed close. The club's official schedule for the season, published in July 2025, listed Xabi Alonso's side as ending the campaign at home to Athletic Club on the weekend of May 23-24. More recent Real Madrid pages now show Álvaro Arbeloa speaking as first-team coach after the Oviedo win, underlining how unsettled the coaching picture has become in the final days of the season. ### What happens next? Sevilla host Real Madrid on Sunday, May 17, at 7:00 p.m. CEST, according to the club's official fixture list, and Athletic Club are due at the Bernabéu on May 23. Benfica's official channels continue to list Mourinho as their coach, and Real Madrid have yet to publish any statement naming a successor or dismissing current staff. Any formal confirmation is most likely to come from the two clubs after those final league matches.