Mourinho confirms Real Madrid contacted his agent Jorge Mendes
Synopsis
Mourinho didn't deny the Real Madrid links — he confirmed them, up to a point. Contacts between the club and his agent Jorge Mendes are already under way, and by his own telling, direct talks with him could follow within days. With Arbeloa's interim stint winding down and Benfica's renewal offer still unsigned, the pieces are moving fast.
Key Takeaways
Jose Mourinho confirmed on 17 May that Real Madrid have been in contact with his agent Jorge Mendes .
Mourinho said he has had no direct talks with president Florentino Perez or anyone in the club's structure.
He expects contacts to extend to him personally 'during the next week.' His only confirmed offer currently is a renewal proposal from Benfica , where he led the team to a 3-1 win over Estoril Praia .
Interim coach Álvaro Arbeloa publicly backed Mourinho's return, calling him 'number one.' Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013 , winning one La Liga title.
Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho has acknowledged that Real Madrid have been in contact with his representative Jorge Mendes, fuelling speculation that he could be set for a second spell as coach at the Santiago Bernabéu. Mourinho made the admission on 17 May while speaking to reporters in Portugal after guiding Benfica to a 3-1 victory over Estoril Praia.
What Mourinho Said
The 63-year-old was careful to draw a distinction between club-level contacts and any direct approach to him personally. 'I don't know...the only thing I have on record is a proposal from Benfica...which I haven't seen, but Mendes tells me it's very good,' he told reporters.
Mourinho clarified that he had not spoken directly with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez or anyone else in the club's hierarchy, but stopped well short of dismissing the reports. 'I'm not stupid...and there are contacts between the club and Jorge. And I believe they will turn into contacts with me during the next week,' he said.
He also refused to close the door on staying at Benfica, stating his 'intention is to see what I have next week.' His only confirmed offer, he stressed, remains the renewal proposal from the Lisbon club: 'At this moment, the only real and concrete thing that exists is an offer to continue from Benfica.'
Arbeloa Backs a Mourinho Return
Álvaro Arbeloa, whose four-month stint as interim Real Madrid coach is drawing to a close, has publicly endorsed Mourinho's potential homecoming. Speaking ahead of Sunday's fixture against Sevilla, Arbeloa said he considers Mourinho 'number one' — both as a manager under whom he played and as a supporter of the club.
'If he is the one here next season, I will be very happy to see him back home,' Arbeloa said, adding that his view of Mourinho has not changed: 'José has been, is, and will always be uno di noi.'
Background: Mourinho's First Spell at Madrid
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning the La Liga title in the 2011-12 season — the club's first league championship in four years. His tenure was marked by both domestic success and friction within the dressing room, making a potential return a subject of considerable debate among supporters and analysts alike.
What Happens Next
By Mourinho's own account, the coming week is likely to prove decisive. Whether Real Madrid's overtures to Jorge Mendes translate into a formal offer — and whether Mourinho accepts or opts to remain at Benfica — should become clearer in the days ahead. The club has not issued an official statement on the matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Mourinho agreed to return to Real Madrid?
No. As of 17 May, Mourinho has confirmed only that Real Madrid have been in contact with his agent Jorge Mendes — not that any deal has been agreed. He said there is no signed contract, no contract on the table, and no direct talks between himself and the club's president.
What is Mourinho's current club situation?
Mourinho is currently manager of Benfica in Portugal. The club has made him a renewal offer, which he described as 'the only real and concrete thing that exists' at this moment, though he has not yet accepted it.
Who is Jorge Mendes and why does he matter here?
Jorge Mendes is Mourinho's long-time representative and one of football's most powerful agents. Mourinho confirmed that contacts between Mendes and Real Madrid are already under way, and he expects those to convert into direct talks with him within a week.
What did Álvaro Arbeloa say about Mourinho?
Arbeloa, whose four-month stint as Real Madrid's interim coach is ending, said Mourinho is 'number one' in his view — both as a manager and as a figure beloved by the club. He said he would be 'very happy' to see Mourinho return.
When did Mourinho previously manage Real Madrid?
Mourinho managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning the La Liga title in the 2011-12 season. A return would mark his second stint at the club.
