Jose Mourinho has ruled out having initiated any talks with Real Madrid over a potential return and remains fully committed to Benfica. The Portuguese master tactician said he will not engage in any conversation regarding his future until the final game of the ongoing campaign.
Mourinho, however, did not rule out an exit at the end of the season. "I haven't had any contact with Real Madrid—I haven't—and until the last game of the championship against Estoril, I won't have it either. Then, there is a one-week window where I will have the freedom to talk to whoever I think I should talk to," 'The Special One' reportedly said.
Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid?
After initial reports claimed Mourinho had presented himself to Real Madrid, follow-up stories suggested that club president Florentino Pérez had already received a set of demands from the experienced manager. Mourinho has now cleared the air by rubbishing all news regarding talks with the La Liga giants. He accused the media of rumour-mongering, categorically denying having made any communication with the Real Madrid higher-ups.
"I don't know what you're talking about regarding my demands to Real Madrid; as such, I cannot even answer your question... But all these stories that have come out—demands, meetings—are all speculation," he reportedly said.
Countering the claim that he offered himself to his former employer, the 63-year-old said the first steps must come from the club's side for any deal to go through.
"There is one thing I would like to stress: in the world of football, it is not the professionals who have an interest in going or not going. I think things, when they start... it is the clubs that have the interest, and it is the clubs that initiate or do not initiate procedures to try to have the people they want," he reportedly said.
The title race in Portugal is settled, with Porto having secured the trophy. Mourinho's Benfica, currently second, are level on points with third-placed Sporting with two rounds left to play. With only the top two qualifying for the UEFA Champions League from Portugal, the campaign remains a matter of life and death until the final whistle.
It was in April that a report suggested Mourinho was willing to become the Real Madrid manager again if the club would have him. There is a legal loophole in his Benfica contract that can be exploited if Real Madrid gives him the green light. There is a specific break clause in the contract that will let him depart without a fee if a deal is completed within a strict timeframe. This clause expires roughly 10 days after Benfica play their final match of the current campaign, reports claimed.
José Mourinho’s spell at Real Madrid (2010–2013) occurred when Pep Guardiola's 'Tiki-Taka' football was thriving at Barcelona. He won the 2011–12 La Liga title and defeated prime Barça in the 2010–11 Copa del Rey summit clash, which was a major morale-boosting win for Los Blancos.
Under interim manager Álvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid experienced a trophyless campaign. Making things worse, the season culminated with Barcelona celebrating their 29th La Liga title after Sunday's 2-0 El Clásico win at Camp Nou. Xabi Alonso was sacked midway through the season after a promising start, and Arbeloa failed to halt the slide. It has been confirmed that a high-profile manager will be roped in ahead of the upcoming campaign, as the club is unlikely to hand Arbeloa an extended stay.
