Real Madrid Face €15m Bill to Reappoint José Mourinho as Presidential Election Heats Up

• Benfica have confirmed Real Madrid would need to pay €15 million to release José Mourinho from his contract if Florentino Pérez wins Sunday’s presidential election.
• Pérez has publicly identified Mourinho as his preferred choice to lead Madrid next season after two trophyless campaigns.
• The revelation adds another layer of intrigue to the club’s first contested presidential election in two decades.

Real Madrid’s presidential election has taken another dramatic turn after Benfica confirmed that José Mourinho’s return to the Santiago Bernabéu would come with a €15 million price tag.

The Portuguese club released a statement on Thursday confirming that any move for Mourinho would trigger the termination clause in his current contract, which runs until June 2027.

The announcement follows confirmation from Florentino Pérez’s election campaign that Mourinho is his chosen candidate to become Real Madrid’s next head coach should he secure victory in Sunday’s vote.

Madrid are seeking a fresh direction after enduring back-to-back seasons without a major trophy, a situation that has intensified scrutiny around the club and increased the stakes of the upcoming election.

In a statement filed with Portugal’s financial regulator, Benfica acknowledged Pérez’s public commitment to bringing Mourinho back for a second spell in charge.

“Sport Lisboa e Benfica announces that, as part of his campaign for the Real Madrid CF presidency, President Florentino Pérez has stated his firm intention to appoint José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix as manager should he win the club’s presidential election, scheduled for 7 June 2026,” the statement read.

“Should this scenario arise, the appointment will be made for a fee of €15,000,000, corresponding to the termination clause in the current sports employment contract.”

The development has instantly become one of the defining stories of an election campaign already packed with headline-grabbing promises.

Mourinho, now 63, remains one of the most decorated and recognisable coaches in world football. His first spell at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013 delivered a LaLiga title, a Copa del Rey and helped re-establish the club as a genuine force in Europe after years of Champions League frustration.

His return would represent both a nod to the past and a bold attempt to restore Madrid’s winning edge following a difficult period.

Pérez clearly believes Mourinho remains the right figure for the job.

Yet the potential appointment comes with a significant financial commitment. Beyond the manager’s salary, Madrid would first need to satisfy Benfica’s €15 million release clause before negotiations could even progress.

The election itself has already produced plenty of intrigue.

Pérez faces a challenge from businessman Enrique Riquelme in the club’s first contested presidential vote since 2006. While Pérez has publicly aligned himself with Mourinho, Riquelme has taken a different approach, focusing on structural changes rather than naming a managerial candidate.

Riquelme has pledged to install club legend Raúl González as sporting director and former captain Fernando Hierro as academy director. He has also made ambitious promises regarding player recruitment, including high-profile pursuits of Erling Haaland and Rodri, claims that have already been firmly rejected by Manchester City.

For now, Mourinho’s future remains tied to the outcome of Sunday’s vote.

What is clear is that Benfica have ensured there will be no uncertainty over the cost of any deal. If Pérez wins and wants Mourinho back in Madrid, the road to a reunion has already been priced at €15 million.

In a campaign dominated by promises, that is one figure nobody can dispute.