Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Tuesday, 26 May 2026, 11:24 / Updated Tuesday, 26 May 2026 11:28
The €6m release clause linking Jose Mourinho to Benfica expires today. If Real Madrid do not pay that amount, then the release of the Portuguese coach will increase the costs to 15 million for whoever wins the election for the post of club president.
The dispute for the top management post at Real Madrid has meant that the issue of finding Alvaro Arbeloa's successor has not yet been resolved. Although Florentino Perez is said to have largely agreed with Jose Mourinho to take over the team, the formalization of Enrique Riquelme's candidacy for the presidency of the blanco club has put all discussions on hold.
Mourinho's release clause to increase by 150% tomorrow!
The current boss of the Spanish runners-up thought he would be the only name on the electoral list, so he only had to send €6m (gross) into Benfica's account for Jose Mourinho to get out of the remaining season of his contract.
Florentino Perez calls Jose Mourinho back to Real Madrid. The Portuguese declared that “I have a job to finish here” / Photo: X Zone Madrid
But today, at midnight, is the deadline, after which the amount provided for termination increases substantially. Real Madrid will be obliged to pay 15 million to take the 63-year-old Portuguese technician!
“Florentino Pérez was clear that if elections were held, he could not transfer the Portuguese manager until he won them. And that's exactly what happened!
Although he could have done so, since Real Madrid's status allows him to continue making decisions as usual, it certainly would not have been ethically correct,” the Spanish media explained.
“Florentino's plan now is to win the election and start the new project at Real Madrid as soon as possible”
Florentino's plan is now to win the election and start as soon as possible the new project that Enrique Riquelme's candidacy delayed. There is little doubt about the outcome of the election, which it I give Perez a clear favorite.
Florentino Perez
“But the members have to vote. Real Madrid is a democratic club and it is not only legitimate but also healthy for the elections to be validated at the polls, especially after two years without trophies and so much criticism of the current president. This is exactly what Florentino wants: to have the support of Real Madrid's partners,” the source close to the blanco club also states.
Mourinho's price will increase by 150%, from 6 million euros to 15 million, but for Real Madrid, paying the new clause activated in the Portuguese coach's contract would not be a problem. Defensa Central concludes that “it may not even be necessary.” It is very likely that Real Madrid and Benfica will find a compromise”.
