Jose Mourinho has agreed terms on his return to Real Madrid, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The move was long awaited when Benfica manager Mourinho was elected president by Florentino Perez.
But Romano reported that the personal terms of the two-year contract have been verbally agreed and formalities will be completed this week.
Mourinho has another 12 months left on his contract at Benfica but it contains a ten-day release clause which came into force at the weekend.
There is clearly something about Real Madrid, admits Mourinho
Speaking after Saturday’s 3-1 win over Estoril, Mourinho confirmed that he had been offered a new contract by Benfica and said he was yet to hold face-to-face talks with Perez.
“I don’t know. If I know, I will tell you,” he told Sport TV when asked about his future. “There is an opportunity for me to continue [at Benfica]yes. My desire is, next week, to see what I have. On purpose, I have a renewal proposal at Benfica that I thank them for. I am also very grateful for the opportunity I was given to coach Benfica a few months ago.
“None of us are stupid, obviously something is up.” [with Real Madrid]but, as I said, there is no signed contract, there is no contract on the table, there are no discussions between me and the president of Real Madrid, there are no discussions between me and someone important in the formation of the team.
“Currently, the only real and practical thing that exists is the proposal for Benfica to continue, I repeat, I thank them very much for the opportunity I was given to receive the honor of coaching Benfica.”
Benfica finished third in the Primeira Liga table, and missed out on the Champions League, despite going through the season unbeaten.
Perez is taking a gamble by bringing Mourinho back to Real Madrid
Despite a mixed first spell at the Bernabeu between 2010 and 2013, where Madrid won the Copa del Rey and La Liga, Mourinho maintains a strong bond with Perez, although he will join a team in need of a major overhaul.
Madrid have come in recent weeks with coach Alvaro Arbeloa and star striker Kylian Mbappe publicly traded, midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde involved in a training camp that left the latter in hospital and Perez calling for snap presidential elections.
They will end the season without a trophy and Barcelona remain at the top of Spanish football.
Perez is believed to be looking for a strong hand to restore order and has identified Mourinho as that man.
It’s a bold move, especially given the 63-year-old’s fighting spirit.
There is also a sense that his career is on the slide after a glittering decade with Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan that saw him claim two Champions League crowns and six domestic league titles.
Since leaving Madrid, he has returned to Chelsea, leading them to the Premier League title in 2014/15, but his wins over Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma and Fenerbahce have been more difficult.
