The compensation & timeline for Mourinho's potential move from Benfica to Real Madrid

Benfica boss Jose Mourinho
Benfica boss Jose MourinhoREUTERS/Pedro Rocha

Benfica have agreed a compensation fee with Jose Mourinho, should he decide to leave the Portuguese giants.

Mourinho returned to Benfica for his second spell as manager in September 2025 and has since produced a 29-match unbeaten run in Liga Portugal. 

But with his future up in the air; despite the Benfica president presenting a new contract proposal to the 63-year-old, it seems likely that he will depart.

Real Madrid are looking to bring Mourinho back to the Santiago Bernabeu as a replacement for Alvaro Arbeloa, and there's a clause in his contract that allows him to leave Benfica for €3m up to 10 days after their last match.

Benfica play Estoril on May 16 with Champions League qualification at stake, giving Real until May 26 to activate the release clause in his deal and bring him back to the Spanish capital. 

According to Record Portugal, Mourinho's departure from the Eagles implies a €7m (£6m) compensation payment, should either party decide to part ways within the 10-day window after the last game of the current season.

The report also claims that Mourinho will only make a final decision on his future after the end of the campaign, and within the 10-day window.

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