Mourinho: No one from Real Madrid has contacted me.

Benfica manager José Mourinho said on Friday that he has no connection with Real Madrid.

Rumors about a possible return to Real Madrid have been circulating for weeks. TA journalists David Ornstein and Mario Corteganer previously reported that Mourinho is Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez's preferred new manager. If Álvaro Arbeloa is sacked at the end of this season, he will be a strong contender for the next Real Madrid manager.

Mourinho's current contract with Benfica runs until June 2027, and includes a €3 million release clause. According to TA, both parties can choose to activate this clause within ten days of Benfica's final match of the season.

If the rumors come true, Mourinho will return to the Bernabéu next season after a 13-year absence. The 63-year-old previously served as Real Madrid's manager from 2010 to 2013, leading the team to a record of 127 wins, 28 draws, and 23 losses, winning one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey title, and one Spanish Super Cup title.

However, Mourinho broke his silence for the first time at the pre-match press conference for Benfica's game against Famalicão: "No one from Real Madrid has contacted me. I've been in football for many years, and like many in the press, I'm used to these kinds of stories. There has really been no word from Real Madrid."

When asked about the possibility of leaving this summer, Mourinho remained professional: "No comment. I've already spoken to your colleagues about Real Madrid, and there's nothing more to say. As for Benfica, you know the current situation. I still have one year left on my contract with Benfica, that's all."

Mourinho concluded by saying, "The longer a manager stays at a club, the more he can imprint his own mark on the team and the squad. Look at Arsenal and Manchester City; they've been managed by the same manager for six or seven years. It's obvious that every aspect of the team has absorbed his style. For managers who come and go, it's incredibly difficult to leave their mark on a club. Let's wait and see."

Image source: Internet/Benfica official website