Amidst swirling rumors linking him to a return to Real Madrid, José Mourinho has spoken out to clarify his situation. Addressing the Spanish press, the Portuguese coach denied any contact with the Madrid club, dismissing speculation about his possible comeback.
For several weeks, the European press had been suggesting a possible return of Mourinho to Real Madrid, due to the team's mixed results under the management of Alvaro Arbeloa. Eliminated from the Champions League and trailing in La Liga, the Spanish club is reportedly looking for a new coach to turn things around.
Mourinho, currently the coach of Benfica, stated: "No, no one from Real Madrid has contacted me, I can assure you". He added that he was used to this kind of rumor and that he remained focused on his current job at Benfica. "I still have one year left on my contract with Benfica, and that's it," he concluded.
Despite these denials, the rumors persist, fueled by the interest that Florentino Pérez, the president of Real Madrid, has in Mourinho. Pérez reportedly sees Mourinho as the ideal man to turn the team around and make people forget the poor performances of recent seasons. However, some Real Madrid players would prefer the arrival of Jürgen Klopp, and consider Mourinho as a "ticking time bomb".
Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has stated that he would be delighted to see Mourinho return to the Spanish league, as he believes that his presence would be beneficial for the attractiveness of La Liga.
Mourinho also took the opportunity to mention his time at AS Roma, which he considers "the most special team in his career". He has fond memories of the atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico and the support of the fans.
Under contract with Benfica until 2027, Mourinho has a release clause that could facilitate a departure at the end of the season. The future of the Portuguese coach therefore remains uncertain, between rumors of a return to Real Madrid and a desire to continue his project at Benfica. His immediate goal is to qualify Benfica for the next Champions League.
