Presidential elections called by Florentino Pérez have stalled the planned appointment of José Mourinho at Real Madrid and may force the club to pay more to secure the Benfica coach, according to ESPN.
Sources told ESPN on May 18 that Madrid and Mourinho had agreed a two-year contract, but no official announcement has been made. The vote, scheduled for June 7, has postponed any finalisation of the deal, ESPN reported.
Initial terms reportedly included a €7 million compensation fee payable to Benfica. That figure was valid for 10 business days from the end of the Portuguese Primeira Liga season and the window expires on May 29; after that date Benfica’s asking price more than doubles to €15 million, according to ESPN. While the parties could negotiate, sources told ESPN that any new settlement is likely to exceed €7 million.
Mourinho, who won three trophies in three seasons at Madrid including the 2011-12 LaLiga title, is said by ESPN sources to value working “where he feels wanted” and would be reluctant to join a board that had publicly indicated he was not their first choice. The 63-year-old reportedly will not travel to Madrid until the club’s board of directors is settled, ESPN added.
Enrique Riquelme, who will oppose Pérez on June 7, told Spanish newspaper ABC he “was never a fan of Mourinho” and said he would evaluate the coach’s return while pursuing a long-term project. Riquelme told COPE radio that Mourinho would not be his choice and said he had already finalised an agreement with another manager who is not currently available, according to ESPN.
The backdrop to the dispute includes Real Madrid’s firing of Xabi Alonso in January, less than a year into a three-year deal, and his replacement by Álvaro Arbeloa; Alonso has since joined Chelsea, ESPN reported. The election uncertainty and the timing of Benfica’s fee deadline have made Mourinho’s potential return increasingly complex, according to ESPN.
