Benfica risk losing José Mourinho if Florentino Pérez makes a direct move, with Portuguese journalist Vítor Pinto revealing the coach has a clause in his contract that makes a Real Madrid return an increasingly realistic scenario with each passing day.
Deputy director of Record, Vítor Pinto, has warned that Benfica could “lose Mourinho” the moment Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez personally reaches out to the 63‑year‑old coach. Pinto revealed that Mourinho’s deal at the Estádio da Luz contains a clause that allows him to walk away, a detail that has fuelled growing speculation over a second spell at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Mourinho, who signed a contract with Benfica until 2027, is reported to have a relatively low break clause that can be activated in a short window after the end of the season, giving Madrid a clear path if they decide to change coach. Spanish outlet AS has reported that Benfica president Rui Costa is already moving to secure a renewal, which would remove the clause and significantly increase any compensation required to take Mourinho away.
Despite the noise around a Real Madrid comeback, Mourinho has publicly stated that he is happy in Lisbon and that his desire is to stay at Benfica, insisting his future depends more on the club’s plans than on outside interest. However, with Real Madrid monitoring his situation closely and Pérez said to be driving internal support for his return, Pinto believes a direct call from the Madrid president could be enough to change the course of Benfica’s project and reopen one of European football’s most dramatic managerial storylines.
