Benfica confirm Real Madrid set to trigger £13m Jose Mourinho clause if Florentino Perez wins presidential election

The confirmation of the appointment, however, depends entirely on whether current Real Madrid president Florentino Perez wins re-election this weekend.

The announcement, filed formally with the Portuguese financial market regulator (CMVM), arrived 24 hours after Perez launched a high-profile campaign update declaring Mourinho as his primary managerial choice for the upcoming season.

Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning a Liga title and a Copa del Rey.

The Spanish capital club are seeking a fresh start in the dugout following two consecutive seasons without a trophy under previous managers Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa. 

During this period, the 15-time European champions suffered consecutive quarter-final exits in the UEFA Champions League and watched domestic rivals Barcelona secure back-to-back league titles.

In the regulatory statement, Benfica confirmed they had received formal notification regarding the contractual terms required to trigger the departure of their current head coach.

"Sport Lisboa e Benfica announces that, as part of his campaign for the Real Madrid CF presidency, President Florentino Perez has stated his firm intention to appoint Jose Mario dos Santos Mourinho Felix as manager should he win the club's presidential election, scheduled for 7 June 2026," the Benfica 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 63-year-old Mourinho is under contract with the Lisbon club until June 2027. Despite recent underwhelming spells at Tottenham Hotspur, Roma and Fenerbahce, Perez views the veteran manager as the figure necessary to restore tactical discipline to a squad featuring Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, amid rumours of an unsettled dressing room.

Perez has also combined this managerial pursuit with player transfer promises, recently confirming that Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate will join on a free transfer if his presidency continues.

Perez is facing a challenge from renewable energy business executive Enrique Riquelme in Sunday's election. The upcoming vote is the first time since 2006 that there has been a contested presidential election.

For the last two decades, the incumbent, Perez, has consistently retained his position by running for the position unopposed.

Riquelme has based his campaign around structural club reforms and reclaiming their traditional identity.

While he has not named a clear choice for head coach, his sporting manifesto includes appointing former club captain Raul as sporting director and Fernando Hierro as the director of the youth academy, known as La Fabrica. 

To counter Perez's sporting pledges, Riquelme announced during a television appearance that he intends to secure huge transfers for midfielder Rodri and striker Erling Haaland from Manchester City, even submitting legal documentation pledging his own personal financial assets to cover member dues if these transfer targets are not signed.

This promise drew scorn from City, who suggested they may take legal action regarding the claims there is a release clause for the Norwegian forward.

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