Benfica Bid Farewell to Mourinho as Real Madrid Return Approaches

Benfica announced on Tuesday that it had terminated the contract of coach José Mourinho, who is reportedly close to rejoining Real Madrid. The club also confirmed that it has signed Fulham manager Marco Silva on a two‑year deal to take over the coaching position.

In a statement sent to Portugal’s financial markets regulator, Benfica said that Real Madrid had “formalised their intention to sign Mourinho for a fee of 15 million euros ($17.25 million).” The fee matches the release clause in Mourinho’s contract.

Silva, who left Fulham after five seasons in the Premier League, was appointed shortly thereafter. His departure from the English club came last week.

Florentino Pérez’s re‑election as president of Real Madrid over the weekend cleared the way for Mourinho’s return to the Spanish capital. The 63‑year‑old former manager first joined Real Madrid in 2010 and spent three seasons with the club, winning one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup during a period of intense rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

Re‑appointing the polarising Mourinho represents a risk for Pérez, especially after Real Madrid finished the 2025/26 season without a major trophy, marking the club’s second consecutive barren campaign.

Earlier on Tuesday, Real Madrid also confirmed the departure of coach Álvaro Arbeloa. Arbeloa had taken over in January, replacing Xabi Alonso, and had announced a month earlier that he would leave at the end of the season.

The article “Benfica say farewell to Mourinho as Real Madrid return nears” first appeared on Vanguard News.