Jose Mourinho In Final Negotiations To Become Real Madrid Manager After Xabi Alonso Dismissal

José Mourinho is reported to be in the final stages of negotiations to take over as Real Madrid’s next manager, 13 years after his first spell at the Santiago Bernabéu.

“Jose Mourinho is in final negotiations to become Real Madrid's next head coach, 13 years after his first spell at the Bernabeu”

BBC

The reports tie the move to Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, who first considered Mourinho’s return two days after dismissing Xabi Alonso and then engaged in talks with Mourinho’s agents.

BBC

Mourinho is currently managing Benfica in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, where he signed a two-year contract in September of last year and has a clause allowing him to leave for a buyout fee of 3 million euros within 10 days after the final match of the season.

Mourinho has also said he would answer questions about his future only after the final match of the season this week, adding, "I will be able to answer questions about my future only after the final match of the season this week."

Real Madrid’s turmoil is described as including an argument during training between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni that escalated into a fistfight in the locker room, and a 0–2 defeat against FC Barcelona in the 35th round at Camp Nou on the 11th.

Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas said he does not want Mourinho at the club, writing on X, "I don’t want him at @realmadrid. I think other coaches would be better equipped to coach at the club of my life."

Casillas added, "I have no problem with Mourinho. He seems like a great professional to me," while the same coverage described Pérez refusing to be drawn on a potential return during an “emergency” press conference.

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At that press conference, Pérez said, "I regret to tell you that I am not going to resign," and instead announced he had asked the board to initiate the electoral process for elections to the board of directors.

Pérez also insisted he would not talk about coaches or players, saying, "I’m not going to talk about coaches or players. I’m here to return Real Madrid’s assets to its members."

The coverage links the pressure around the club to public disputes behind the scenes, including the Valverde and Tchouaméni bust-up and Kylian Mbappé’s secret overseas trip during injury rehabilitation that triggered fan petitions calling for his release.

Multiple reports frame Mourinho’s timing around Benfica’s final league match against Estoril Praia, with Mourinho telling media, "There’s a match against Estoril, and from Monday onwards I’ll be able to answer questions about my future as a coach and Benfica’s future."

“Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas insists Jose Mourinho should not be returning to the Estadio Bernabeu, as the current Benfica boss appears to be on the brink of a sensational move back to the Spanish capital”

Football365

The same reporting says Mourinho’s deal includes a release clause that would allow him to leave for around €3 million within 10 days of Benfica’s final game of the season, setting a narrow window for Real Madrid to complete the move.

Real Madrid’s season is described as ending trophyless, with Barcelona sealing the La Liga title with a 2-0 El Clasico victory and finishing 14 points clear, while Real’s Champions League run ended with a 6-4 aggregate defeat by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

The stakes are also described as disciplinary and dressing-room harmony, with the reports saying Mourinho’s appeal to Real’s hierarchy is tied to concerns over discipline and dressing-room harmony at the Bernabéu.

If the deal is completed, Mourinho would replace Álvaro Arbeloa, who took charge in January following Xabi Alonso’s departure, and the move is presented as an attempt to restore authority and emotional control inside the squad.