Jose Mourinho might return to Real Madrid at no cost

Real Madrid is reportedly fully capable of bringing Jose Mourinho back to Bernabeu this summer without paying any compensation fee, opening the door for a surprising reunion.

According to sources from AS, the two-year contract Jose Mourinho signed with Benfica includes a special clause allowing him to leave without paying any compensation if he accepts a position to coach another team. This clause is only valid within 10 days after Benfica’s last match of the season. This is considered a key factor making Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid financially much more feasible, if President Florentino Perez decides to take action.

This “golden window” makes Mourinho a strong candidate for Real Madrid’s management, as the club continues to seek stability after recent coaching changes. Although Perez has not officially approached the Portuguese coach, the existence of a free release clause gives Mourinho a significant advantage if a call from Bernabeu actually comes.

Mourinho himself recently hinted at the possibility of returning to Madrid. He revealed that he almost had the chance to come back to Bernabeu before accepting Benfica’s offer. After the victory over Real in the final group stage match, he shared: "I was very close to returning to Bernabeu for the first time since I left. My friend Oscar Ribot arranged everything, but just one day before, Benfica called me and I had to sign the contract."

Regarding Real Madrid, the relationship between Perez and Mourinho is seen as a crucial piece of the entire story. Although they no longer keep in frequent contact due to changes in their careers and personal lives, a face-to-face meeting could still happen in the upcoming matches. Perez is reportedly considering traveling to Lisbon to watch the first leg, before the two teams meet again in Madrid eight days later.

Currently, Mourinho remains committed to the project at Benfica and enjoys life in his homeland, where he can be close to his family after many years working abroad. He has not publicly sought to leave and seems content with the environment in Lisbon. However, the appeal of Real Madrid is always distinct from any other club.