Mourinho puts future odds at 99% amid Real Madrid talks

Jose Mourinho has broken his silence on the swirling rumours linking him with a return to Real Madrid, confirming that a personal meeting with the Spanish club is scheduled for next week. Speaking after Benfica's 3-1 win over Estoril to close their domestic season, the Portuguese manager acknowledged that while he remains under contract in Lisbon, official contact between his agent and the Bernabeu hierarchy has already begun.

Despite guiding Benfica through an unbeaten league run, a third-place finish has cast doubt on his long-term future at the Estadio da Luz. Mourinho did little to dampen speculation, revealing that conversations between his representative Jorge Mendes and Real Madrid's management are already underway. "I haven't heard anything from Real Madrid yet, but none of us are naive, and there are conversations between Jorge, the president, and the club's management," he told Marca. "I will personally speak to Real Madrid next week, and I'll make my decision then. So far, there have only been talks between Real Madrid and Jorge Mendes, not with me."

Loyalty vs prestige

Mourinho insisted that staying in Portugal remains a strong possibility, pointing to a lucrative renewal offer from Benfica president Rui Costa. "There's a 99 per cent chance I'll stay at Benfica, because I have a contract with Benfica and, in addition to having a contract, I have a renewal offer that I haven't seen yet, but my agent said it was an excellent offer," he claimed. However, he did not deny the seriousness of the Madrid interest, adding: "My agent has informed me that there could be a real and serious situation with Real Madrid, I am not denying that. But right now, I have not signed any contract with Real Madrid."

The 62-year-old also reflected on his time in Lisbon, telling his players after the final match: "I was happy every day at Benfica. I told that to the players tonight, that really, I was happy with them every day."

Potential squad overhaul

Should the move materialise, reports indicate Mourinho is already planning changes at the Bernabeu. One of the most striking rumours involves a raid on his former club Manchester United for Marcus Rashford, potentially hijacking Barcelona's attempts to make the winger's loan deal permanent. Beyond personnel, the Portuguese coach has identified systemic issues he believes need fixing, including a perceived lack of authority in the dressing room and a physical conditioning crisis that has plagued the squad over the last two campaigns. He reportedly intends to demand total commitment and overhaul pre-season and rotation policies to reduce muscle injuries.

Financial hurdles

Bringing Mourinho back to Madrid would require significant financial outlay. According to recent reports, prising the coach away from Benfica would cost nearly €7 million in compensation, a figure reportedly agreed upon as protection for the Portuguese side. With Real Madrid president Florentino Perez currently focused on internal club elections, the club would need to act quickly if they wish to trigger Mourinho's exit. The manager's scheduled meeting with Madrid officials in the coming days means fans will not have to wait long to see if Perez is willing to green-light the deal.