The “Special One” is one step closer to home. According to the latest reports from journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, Benfica has finally agreed to let José Mourinho leave—but only under specific conditions.

After a weekend that saw Barcelona lift the La Liga trophy and Real Madrid’s dressing room tensions boil over, the board at Valdebebas is moving quickly to secure Mourinho as the successor to Álvaro Arbeloa.

The Timeline: One Last Game in Lisbon

Benfica is reportedly standing firm on its schedule. They will not allow Mourinho to walk away before the end of their domestic campaign.

  • The Final Match: Mourinho will lead Benfica for the last time on May 16 against Estoril Praia.
  • The Exit Date: He will be officially cleared to leave on May 17, just as Real Madrid enters the final week of its own season.

The Price of the Return

While earlier rumors suggested a lower figure, the newest reports state that Real Madrid will have to pay a €6 million compensation fee to Benfica to break Mourinho’s contract. Given the current “medical and disciplinary disaster” at the club, Florentino Pérez reportedly views this as a small price to pay to restore law and order.

Mourinho’s “Requests” for the Rebuild

Mourinho isn’t just coming back to coach; he’s coming back to clean house. Sources suggest he has already held “informal conversations” with the club regarding his requirements for next season:

  1. Squad Clear-out: He reportedly wants at least five exits, targeting players he believes are responsible for the toxic locker room atmosphere.
  2. New Signings: Mourinho has allegedly requested three major signings to strengthen the spine of the team.
  3. Medical Control: He is demanding a total overhaul of the medical department to avoid a repeat of this season’s record-breaking injury list.

RMxtra Verdict: The Countdown Begins

With only three matches left in the La Liga season, the Álvaro Arbeloa era is effectively over. The club is expected to wait until the final whistle of the campaign before making an official announcement, but for many fans, May 17 is already marked on the calendar.

Can Mourinho stop Hansi Flick’s dominant Barcelona? Can he turn the Valverde-Tchouaméni rivalry back into a winning partnership? We are about to find out.