Real Madrid has officially expressed its intention to hire coach José Mourinho for 15 million euros [1], according to an announcement by S.L. Benfica.
The potential move would return one of football's most polarizing figures to the Spanish capital. This development signals a strategic shift for Real Madrid as they seek a proven winner to lead their squad, though the deal remains uncertain due to the coach's own public reactions.
Benfica shared the news via its official X account on Tuesday evening [2]. The club said that the Spanish side has made its intentions clear regarding the acquisition of the manager for the reported fee of 15 million euros [1], [2]. This financial figure represents the cost for Real Madrid to secure Mourinho's services from the Portuguese club.
Despite the official stance from Benfica, Mourinho has not welcomed the prospect of a return. In a response to the rumors, Mourinho questioned the move and the logic behind it. "Training Real Madrid? I’m not stupid," Mourinho said [2].
The discrepancy between the club's announcement and the manager's response creates a complex situation for both parties. While Benfica suggests a path toward a transfer is open, the coach's dismissive tone indicates a lack of interest in returning to the club he previously managed.
Real Madrid has not issued a separate official statement to confirm or deny the specific terms of the offer. The situation remains a standoff between the club's ambitions and the manager's willingness to return to Spain — a dynamic that has characterized much of Mourinho's career.
“"Training Real Madrid? I’m not stupid,"”
This situation highlights a classic conflict between club management and individual coaching preference. While the reported 15 million euro fee suggests Real Madrid is willing to pay a premium for Mourinho's tactical expertise, his public refusal indicates that the move is unlikely to materialize without a significant change in the manager's perspective. The public nature of the announcement by Benfica may be an attempt to leverage the coach's value or signal a willingness to move on from the manager.
