Mourinho has made his decision amid rumors of a potential return to manage Real Madrid.
On 16 Feb 2026 GMT+7, José Mourinho, head coach of Benfica, the 3rd place team in the Portuguese league, gave an interview ahead of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League playoff first leg, hosting La Liga leaders Real Madrid on Tuesday, 17 Feb 2026 GMT+7.
Before this match, José Mourinho was rumored to have a chance to return to manage Real Madrid, where he previously worked from 2010 to 2013, leading the team to three titles: one La Liga, one Copa del Rey, and one Spanish Super Cup.
Initially, the "Los Blancos" promoted Álvaro Arbeloa, a former player now coaching the reserve team, to serve as interim head coach until the end of the season, taking over from Xabi Alonso who was dismissed, before appointing a permanent head coach in the summer.
This situation led to reports that Real Madrid's management was interested in bringing Mourinho back for a second stint, revealing he had a clause allowing him to leave Benfica without paying a buyout fee—his contract runs through 2027—if he parted ways within 10 days after the season's end.
But recently, José Mourinho himself quashed these rumors, saying, "I don't want to create stories that don't exist. The only real thing is that I have one year left on my contract with Benfica. This contract is special because it was signed during the club presidential election."
"There is a clause that either I or Benfica can easily terminate, but there is no clause related to Real Madrid at all. I want to eliminate Real Madrid (knock them out of the UCL), but I also want Álvaro Arbeloa to win La Liga and stay with Madrid for a long time."
"He is very capable, has the spirit of Real Madrid within him, and possesses the right personality to be Real Madrid's coach, which is not easy for everyone."
"I have already given everything to Real Madrid. Everything I had, I gave—both good and bad—but I gave my all. That is everything. When a professional leaves a club with that feeling, it becomes a lifelong bond. I left 12 years ago, and I still have feelings and love for the club."
