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On Wednesday, Florentino Perez publicly confirmed that Jose Mourinho is his preferred choice to take charge of Real Madrid next season. Following this statement, Portuguese club SL Benfica has now released an official announcement validating the news.

In their statement, Benfica clarified that once Perez secures victory in the upcoming presidential elections, Real Madrid will proceed to pay the €15 million release clause stipulated in Mourinho’s contract. The 63-year-old manager is currently under contract with Benfica.

“If Florentino Perez wins the elections, Real Madrid will pay the penalty clause on Jose Mourinho’s contract, amounting to €15 million,” Benfica’s official statement read.

The Real Madrid presidential elections are scheduled for Sunday, June 7, where Perez will face rival candidate Enrique Riquelme, who is believed to have a different vision for the club’s future.

However, Perez remains the overwhelming favourite, enjoying significant backing from several of the club’s legendary figures and the current administration. His leadership has been credited with stability and long-term planning at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Perez has already made headlines by confirming Ibrahima Konate as the club’s first major signing of the summer. Alongside this, he reiterated his intention to bring Mourinho back to Madrid—a move that Benfica has now officially acknowledged.

After a disappointing season under Xabi Alonso and later Alvaro Arbeloa, Perez reportedly views Mourinho as the ideal candidate to restore Real Madrid’s competitive edge and lead them back to the top of European football.

Should the plan proceed as expected, Mourinho will make his return to the Santiago Bernabeu 13 years after his initial tenure with Los Blancos, a period during which he guided the club to three major titles.

The announcement from Benfica marks a significant step in what could be one of the most high-profile managerial comebacks in recent Real Madrid history.