José Mourinho confirms Real Madrid links; will decide next week

José Mourinho confirmed Saturday that his agent, Jorge Mendes, is in touch with real Madrid over a possible return as coach of the Spanish giants for next season, however mentioned he has but to decide about his future.

The Benfica boss has emerged as a contender to switch present Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa, with ESPN reporting that he’s the main candidate on a three-man shortlist.

– Arbeloa gives blessing to Mourinho Madrid return
– Porto win Portuguese title as Villas-Boas tops Mourinho

Mourinho said, nonetheless, that he has not acquired an official supply from the Spanish membership. Meanwhile, Benfica have tabled a contract renewal supply to the Portuguese coach, who mentioned that solely his agent has seen the supply and that next week will be decisive in figuring out his future.

“My future should be decided this week,” he advised a information convention. “I have a proposal from Benfica. I don’t have a proposal from Real Madrid. At the same time, I was saying that to hide that there is nothing, we cannot do that, there is something, but not with me directly.

“I want time, I want house, I want time to make my choice and this week I believe goes to be essential.”

The former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Manchester United boss, 63, is tied to Benfica until June 2027 but has a clause in his contract that would allow him or the Portuguese club to terminate the deal at the end of this season.

“Benfica is a giant membership and because the day I arrived I all the time felt the dignity and the accountability to be working for a membership like Benfica. Benfica is massive.”

Mourinho previously coached Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning a LaLiga title and a Copa del Rey. Asked if he could say no to Madrid if they made a formal offer, he responded: “If, if, if…”

Mourinho was talking after Benfica accomplished the Portuguese Primeira Liga season unbeaten however missed out on a spot within the Champions League.

A 3-1 win at Estoril On the final day of the season Saturday confirmed their invincible status after 34 games. However, their 11 draws meant they finished third in the standings, behind champions FC Porto and runners-up Sporting CP.

Portugal gets one direct place in Europe’s premier competition with a second team entering the qualifying rounds.

“The unbeatable factor is a good factor,” Mourinho said. “It’s the primary time in my profession. Even successful eight championships, I by no means did it invincible.

“I would change that for the title with two or three defeats, no doubts about that. But it’s something that reflects well. The mentality of the team, the togetherness, the empathy reflects that perfectly.”

Three objectives inside 16 minutes helped put Mourinho’s facet on the trail to victory to wrap up the marketing campaign.

Richard Rios scored a seventh-minute opener earlier than Alexander Bah and Rafa struck in fast succession to safe three factors in what may very well be Mourinho’s remaining match in cost.

Speaking earlier than Saturday’s recreation, Mourinho insisted that his future wouldn’t be decided by whether or not Benfica made it to next season’s Champions League.

Mourinho took over at Benfica final September, three weeks after he left Fenerbahce following an exit from the Champions League qualifying playoffs — at Benfica.

The Associated Press and ESPN’s Alex Kirkland contributed to this report.