Benfica have confirmed the departure of Jose Mourinho as head coach, with the Portuguese manager set to make a high profile return to Real Madrid, while Marco Silva has been named as his immediate replacement.
The Lisbon club announced on Tuesday that Real Madrid had officially triggered Mourinho’s release clause, reportedly valued at 15 million euros, signaling their intent to bring him back to the Spanish capital. The move brings an end to Mourinho’s brief spell at Benfica.
In a separate statement, Benfica revealed they have reached an agreement with former Fulham manager Marco Silva on a two year contract. Silva left the English Premier League side last week after a five season tenure, and now returns to Portuguese football to take charge of the capital club.
Mourinho’s expected return to Real Madrid follows Florentino Perez’s re election as club president over the weekend, a development widely seen as paving the way for the Portuguese coach’s comeback.
The 63 year old previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, where he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. His time at the club was also marked by a fierce rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side, which defined one of the most intense periods in Spanish football history.
His return is viewed as a bold decision by the Madrid hierarchy, especially after the club ended the 2025 to 2026 season without a major trophy, marking a second straight season without silverware.
Earlier on Tuesday, Real Madrid also confirmed the departure of coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Arbeloa, who had taken over in January following Xabi Alonso’s exit, had already indicated last month that he would be leaving at the end of the campaign.
