Real Madrid are close to appointing Jose Mourinho as their next head coach, with only final contract details remaining before an official announcement.
According to BBC Sport, the current Benfica boss has emerged as the club’s sole top candidate and the only coach currently in active talks with Real Madrid.
After Xabi Alonso was sacked in January, Álvaro Arbeloa took temporary charge. Reports suggest that just two days after Alonso’s departure, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez had already begun considering bringing Mourinho back to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Although negotiations are progressing well, Mourinho publicly addressed his future this week: “We still have a match against Estoril to play. From Monday onwards, I will formally respond to all questions regarding my coaching future and Benfica’s prospects.”
Real Madrid’s season has been disappointing, culminating in a 0-2 Clásico defeat at the weekend that handed Barcelona the La Liga title. The match was preceded by internal turmoil: Tchouaméni and Valverde clashed in training, Valverde was injured and taken to hospital, ruling him out of the derby; Mbappé also missed the game due to injury.
Twenty-four hours after the heavy defeat to Barcelona, Mourinho’s Benfica drew 2-2 with Braga. Benfica currently sit third in the Primeira Liga, with Porto already crowned champions and Sporting CP in second place.
Benfica’s season highlight was a dramatic last-minute equalizer against Real Madrid in the Champions League group
