Jose Mourinho Leaves Benfica Just After Alvaro Arbeloa Exits Real Madrid

Last Updated:June 10, 2026, 07:14 IST

Benfica confirm Jose Mourinho exit as Real Madrid trigger 15 million euro clause, appoint Marco Silva on two-year deal, Mourinho set for Bernabeu return after Arbeloa departs

Benfica have confirmed the departure of head coach Jose Mourinho, clearing the way for the veteran Portuguese manager to make a highly anticipated return to Real Madrid. The Lisbon club also moved quickly to appoint a successor, announcing a two-year agreement with former Fulham boss Marco Silva.

The club said Real Madrid had “formalised their intention to sign Mourinho for a fee of 15 million euros ($17.25 million)" in the statement sent to the regulator.

The payment corresponds to the buyout clause agreed between Mourinho and Benfica, bringing an end to his spell with the Portuguese giants after a successful campaign. Silva, who recently left Fulham after five years in charge, has now been entrusted with leading Benfica into a new era.

Mourinho’s expected appointment in Madrid comes shortly after Florentino Perez secured another term as club president. The 63-year-old is no stranger to the Santiago Bernabeu, having managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013. During that period, he delivered a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup while engaging in a fierce rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

Real Madrid’s decision to turn back to Mourinho follows two consecutive seasons without major silverware. The club endured another disappointing campaign in 2025-26, increasing pressure on the board to make a significant managerial change.

Alvaro Arbeloa Departs

Earlier on Tuesday, Real Madrid officially confirmed the departure of Alvaro Arbeloa, who had taken charge in January after replacing Xabi Alonso.

“Real Madrid and Alvaro Arbeloa have reached an agreement to end his tenure as the first-team coach."

Arbeloa had already announced in May that he would leave at the end of the season. His brief tenure included a shock Copa del Rey exit to second-tier Albacete, several damaging league defeats that derailed the club’s title challenge, and a Champions League quarter-final elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich.

With Arbeloa’s departure now formalised, Mourinho’s return to the Spanish capital appears imminent, marking a dramatic reunion more than a decade after his first spell in charge of Los Blancos.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for over a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket conten...Read More

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