Mourinho has two requests to sign for Real Madrid -report

My understanding of the situation is that an agreement hasn't been reached yet between Mou and RM, but both parts are keen on a return and it could very well be official next week, although there's a chance the club waits until after the end of LaLiga out of respect for Arbeloa.

— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) May 11, 2026 *First, Mourinho would seek influence and power over forthcoming decisions, not necessarily regarding specific player names but rather which positions require reinforcement. His initial assessment suggests an imbalance within the squad, with certain areas disproportionately stronger than others. During his previous tenure at Real Madrid, the club acquired several key players at his behest, most notably Luka Modric, along with Sami Khedira and Mesut Özil.* *Second, Mourinho is focused on the club’s organizational framework. This pertains not to the specific chart of sporting or football directors, but to ensuring that hierarchies are respected and the work of all departments is valued. Historically, Mourinho has maintained strict control over the first-team operations. The aim is to preempt incidents akin to those witnessed this season involving Vinicius and his perceived snub of Xabi Alonso — situations that could destabilize the squad’s on-field performance.* Source: AS Madrid and Mourinho will be free to negotiate his return after Benfica’s match against Estoril on May 16th. Los Blancos are expected to trigger the release clause on his contract with Benfica. If Mourinho and Real Madrid come to terms and reach a final agreement, he could be officially announced as the team’s next manager next week.