Portuguese giants Benfica on Tuesday officially announced that Spanish club Real Madrid triggered the €15 million exit clause for manager José Mourinho, ending the long wait for his return to Madrid.
Benfica announced that the formal written notice was submitted to Portugal’s financial market regulator, the CMVM, finalizing the high-profile managerial transfer. Mourinho will now make a sensational return to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, 13 years after his initial departure from the club.
“Benfica SAD has informed the CMVM that Real Madrid CF has formally expressed its intention to hire José Mourinho for the amount of 15 million euros, with the coach having given his agreement. Thank you, José Mourinho,” the club said in a brief statement.
The move materialized quickly following the re-election of Florentino Pérez as Real Madrid’s president on Sunday. Pérez made bringing back “The Special One” a cornerstone of his campaign strategy, following a second consecutive season without a major trophy.
The final transfer cost grew substantially due to operational delays in Madrid. Real Madrid could have activated a much lower buyout clause of €7 million earlier in May, but the timeline expired on May 26 while the club sorted out its internal presidential elections. Because that window closed, Benfica gained total leverage, forcing the Spanish side to pay the full €15 million sum.
Mourinho’s arrival follows the mid-season departure of Xabi Alonso and the announcement of the departure of first-team coach Álvaro Arbeloa on Tuesday after a tumultuous, trophy-less season.
The club’s management reportedly selected the veteran Portuguese tactician to restore firm discipline and structure to a star-studded dressing room. Mourinho famously led Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, capturing a historic 100-point La Liga title and a Copa del Rey trophy against a legendary Barcelona side.
Mourinho returned to Benfica on September 18, 2025, three weeks after being dismissed by Turkish club Fenerbahçe. During his stint at Benfica, the club became the first undefeated team in history to finish outside the top two in a league with over 20 matchdays, ending the 2025–26 Primeira Liga season third despite recording zero losses.
