Benfica: Real Madrid must pay 15 million euros to sign Mourinho

Portuguese club Benfica has stated that Real Madrid must meet Jose Mourinho's release clause of 15 million euros ($17.4 million) if they wish to hire him as their coach. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, seeking re-election this weekend, has expressed a strong desire to bring Mourinho back to the Bernabeu 13 years after his initial departure.

Benfica released a statement confirming Perez's "firm intention to recruit" Mourinho, while clearly outlining the financial terms. This comes after earlier media reports suggested a much lower fee of around three million euros. Mourinho himself has appeared in a video on Perez's Instagram account, signaling his willingness to return to the club he first joined in 2010.

During his previous stint, Mourinho secured one La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, and a Spanish Super Cup for Real Madrid. Appointing the often controversial Mourinho would represent a significant gamble for Perez, especially after Real Madrid finished the current season without a major trophy for the second consecutive year. However, Perez reportedly believes Mourinho can instill discipline in a dressing room perceived to be suffering from excessive player power.

Mourinho initially joined Benfica in September 2025, leading them to an unbeaten league season, though they ultimately finished third. He has one year remaining on his current contract with the Portuguese club.

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Perez had told them of his “firm intention to recruit” Mourinho, while stipulating that the Portuguese boss’s release clause was worth 15 million euros ($17.4m).