Benfica Confirm Mourinho’s Departure To Real Madrid

Benfica have confirmed that Jose Mourinho will leave the club in a €15 million deal to become the new head coach of Real Madrid, while Marco Silva has been appointed as his replacement, TNT Sports reports.

Mourinho had been heavily linked with a return to the Bernabeu this summer, and was the preferred candidate of club president Florentino Perez, who won the club’s elections earlier this week to remain in his post until 2030.

Benfica confirmed on Tuesday that they had informed the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) that Madrid had “formalised” their intention to hire Mourinho, which sees the Primeira Liga club paid €15m in compensation, and that the coach had “given his agreement”.

Also on Tuesday, Madrid formally announced that Alvaro Arbeloa, who stood in as head coach since January following the departure of now-Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, has departed his role.

Mourinho is set for a stunning return to Madrid, having previously spent three years in charge between 2010-13.

He led them to a title-winning La Liga campaign in 2011/12 as his side accrued 100 points – a record tally for the club.

Also Read: I’ll Be Delighted If Mourinho Replaces Me –Arbeloa

Mourinho enters Madrid with the club having failed to win a trophy in the past two seasons. They twice lost out to Barcelona domestically, and crashed out of the UEFA Champions League this season with a quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich.

Mourinho led Benfica to an unbeaten league season, but their 11 draws meant Sporting CP and champions FC Porto bettered his side’s tally of 80 points.

Silva replaces Mourinho at the Lisbon club, following his departure from Fulham, signing a two-year contract with a further 12-month option. The Portuguese coach has spent five years in west London in an incredibly successful tenure.

He guided Fulham out of the Championship as champions in his debut campaign, before comfortably establishing his side in the Premier League the following four seasons.