Mourinho swats away Real Madrid return talk

• José Mourinho dismissed rumours linking him with Real Madrid’s vacancy, calling the speculation a “soap opera.”
• Real Madrid moved on from Xabi Alonso last week and installed Álvaro Arbeloa as head coach.
• Mourinho is Benfica coach, under contract until June 2027.

José Mourinho has waved away suggestions he could be heading back to Real Madrid, rejecting the idea that he is part of any summer guessing game after the club’s recent change in the dugout.

Madrid parted company with Xabi Alonso last week, less than eight months into his spell, and appointed Álvaro Arbeloa, who had been coaching the club’s reserves, as his replacement. That decision triggered fresh noise in Spain about potential longer-term candidates for 2026/27, with Mourinho’s name predictably dragged into the discussion, because football loves a nostalgia rerun.

Speaking after Benfica’s 2-0 win at Rio Ave on Saturday, Mourinho made it clear he has no interest in being used as plot material.

“Don’t count on me for soap operas. There are many good soap operas, but they take too long.

“Then you miss an episode or two and you lose track. Don’t count on me, I don’t watch soap operas.”

Mourinho, 62, previously spent three seasons in charge at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercup. He took over at Benfica in September and has a contract running until June 2027.

Benfica are third in the Primeira Liga, 10 points behind leaders FC Porto. They play Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, before hosting Mourinho’s former club Real Madrid on January 28.