José Mourinho could be heading back to the Real Madrid dugout, and reports from Spain suggest talks are already at an advanced stage.
The Portuguese manager, currently with Benfica, is believed to be in discussions with club officials over a sensational return to the Santiago Bernabéu more than a decade after his first spell in charge.
According to reports, Mourinho has placed two important conditions before accepting the role. The first concerns his influence over squad planning.
While he may not demand control over individual transfers, he wants a major say in identifying weak areas within the squad and deciding where reinforcements are needed. Mourinho reportedly believes the current Real Madrid side lacks balance despite its abundance of talent.
During his earlier stint in Madrid, Mourinho played a key role in bringing in players such as Luka Modric, Sami Khedira, and Mesut Özil, footballers who later became central figures at the club. He now wants a similar level of involvement to shape the next generation of the team.
The second demand relates to the club’s internal structure. Mourinho is said to want clearer authority lines and stronger discipline inside the dressing room. Reports suggest he wants to avoid situations where player power overshadows managerial control, something that reportedly became an issue this season.
Benfica’s season ends on May 16, after which negotiations are expected to accelerate. Real Madrid are reportedly ready to trigger Mourinho’s release clause if a final agreement is reached.
If confirmed, the move would mark one of the biggest managerial stories in European football this year, bringing one of the game’s most polarising figures back to Spain.