Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid would trigger a release clause of 15 million euros: Benfica

Benfica said on Thursday that any move by Real Madrid presidential candidate Florentino Perez to appoint Jose Mourinho as coach would require the payment of the Portuguese manager’s 15 million euro termination clause.

In a statement to Portugal’s CMVM market regulator, Benfica said Perez, as part of his campaign for Real Madrid’s presidential election on June 7, had expressed his «firm intention» to appoint Mourinho if re-elected.

“If this scenario occurs, the appointment will be made for a compensation of €15,000,000, which corresponds to the termination clause in the current employment contract in the sports sector,” Benfica’s statement said.

Mourinho is under contract with Benfica until June 2027 and had previously said that the club had proposed an extension.

Earlier on Thursday, Perez told Spanish sports newspaper AS that Mourinho and Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate would be his first signings if he wins another term at the helm of the LaLiga club. Perez faces renewable energy entrepreneur Enrique Riquelme in Real’s first disputed presidential election in two decades.

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The move from Mourinho, who guided Real to a record number of LaLiga points in 2012 but last won the league title with Chelsea in 2015, follows a domestic campaign in which Barcelona secured back-to-back titles.

Real, 15-time Champions League winners, have also exited Europe’s top club competition at the quarter-finals each of the past two seasons, with the absence of major silverware prompting Perez to call an election.

Mourinho has managed several top clubs, including Manchester United, Roma, Fenerbahce and, most recently, Benfica.

Published on June 4, 2026