Mourinho Move to Real Madrid Paused by Club Vote and Rising Release Costs

Overview

• Real Madrid’s planned hire of José Mourinho is on hold while the club’s presidency is contested, with the outcome of the early June vote seen as the deciding factor for whether the Portuguese coach is appointed.
• Benfica’s contract includes a reported €7 million release clause valid for a 10‑day post‑season window and a stepped increase after that that sources say could reach €15 million, while a scheduled 2026/27 salary rise lifts the total acquisition bill toward roughly €14 million (about R$81.9 million).
• Mourinho has remained publicly silent about his future, which Benfica officials say is delaying the club’s coaching decision and slowing preparations for the 2026/27 season.
• The coach has already produced a scouting report for Real Madrid requesting reinforcements — one or two centre‑backs, fullbacks and two midfielders (a defensive and a creative midfielder) — but transfer work is frozen until the election result and any formal negotiations with Benfica.
• Intermediary Jorge Mendes is reported unlikely to cover the clause himself and Enrique Riquelme, Florentino Pérez’s challenger, has said he will not automatically appoint Mourinho and already has a coach and sporting director lined up, increasing uncertainty for both clubs.