Jose Mourinho’s future has taken an interesting turn just as speculation around Real Madrid begins to grow again.
The Portuguese manager is currently in charge of Benfica, where his season has been strange, to say the least.
Benfica are unbeaten in the league, yet still trailing Porto by seven points because of nine draws. It is not quite dominance, not quite failure either.
And now, suddenly, his name is back in the conversation for perhaps the biggest job in club football. According to AS, Mourinho is on a six-man shortlist to take over at Real Madrid next summer.
Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, Julian Nagelsmann, Didier Deschamps and Massimiliano Allegri are also on the same list.
So the interest is real, but the timing is what makes this interesting, as Mourinho might not even cost anything, if Madrid act fast.
His contract at Benfica includes a clause that allows him to leave for free within a 10-day window after their final game of the season. That match could fall on May 16 or 17.
It means there is a small window where Real Madrid could bring him back without paying a fee. However, if they miss that, the situation will change completely.
Reports suggest Los Blancos are preparing for a managerial change after a disappointing campaign under Alvaro Arbeloa.
The Spaniard only took charge in January and has struggled to convince, with Madrid falling behind Barcelona in the title race. Also, last night’s draw against Real Betis summed up their season.
Meanwhile, Mourinho knows the club well. He spent three years in Madrid and won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup during his previous spell.
Now, the Spanish outlet also claims that Mourinho is “somewhat annoyed” by the growing rumours, as he wants full focus on Benfica’s run-in and preparations for next season.
Still, the clause changes everything. If Real Madrid move quickly, Jose Mourinho could be back at the Bernabeu for free.
Want to get the latest transfer news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
