News Focus
- Mourinho ignores new Benfica contract offer until next week
- Portuguese boss remains heavily linked with Real Madrid return
- Arbeloa-Mbappe public dispute causes Mourinho personal pain
- Real Madrid president calls elections amid managerial uncertainty
Jose Mourinho has postponed all talks about his future at Benfica. The manager says he will wait until Sunday before he even looks at a new contract offer from the Portuguese club.
Mourinho still has twelve months left on his current deal at the Estadio da Luz. Club president Rui Costa wants him to extend his stay in Lisbon. However, the Portuguese coach told Diario AS that he refused to read the proposal his agent received last Wednesday.
“Yes, I received the renewal offer on Wednesday. My agent has the papers. But I did not want to see them, hear about them, or study them. I will start doing that from Sunday,” he explained.
Last weekend, Mourinho promised to discuss his future on Monday. He continues to deny any direct contact with Real Madrid about their managerial vacancy.
“Nobody at Real Madrid told me they had an offer to show me. Not the president. Not any senior figure there. But if they had asked, my answer would stay the same. Next week is crucial for me, for my future, and for Benfica too. When the season ends, Benfica must plan for the next campaign. But under my current contract, we have a short period to see what happens and make a choice.”
Mourinho insists the club matters more than any individual. “Benfica is far bigger than me. It is bigger than every coach, player, president, or anyone else. So people should not worry about my situation. The club is larger than everyone. There is no panic if someone leaves.”
Meanwhile, Real Madrid has faced a turbulent week. Mourinho says he did not watch president Florentino Perez’s press conference on Tuesday. Perez called for elections at the Spanish club.
“I have not seen Florentino’s press conference. If I do watch it, I will not comment. I never discuss presidents,” he stated.
On Thursday evening, Kylian Mbappe publicly questioned manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Arbeloa claimed Mbappe had misunderstood his words. The French forward insisted this was not true.
Mourinho feels hurt by this conflict. “It causes me pain. As you say, he is my friend. He gave everything for me when I was his player. Now that he manages Real Madrid, we remain close. Of course, seeing him succeed motivates me more. But that is coaching life. I often joke with my ex-players who become managers. I tell them to wait two years for the grey hairs. Then they realise playing is easier than coaching. I am pleased with what Arbeloa has achieved.”
Most experts believe Mourinho is in advanced talks to replace Arbeloa at Real Madrid. The Spanish side still has two matches left this season. Perez calling elections may delay any appointment. It remains unclear if anyone will challenge Perez for the presidency.