Jose Mourinho has chosen silence over speculation as reports grow that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez wants him back in the Bernabeu dugout next season.

The Benfica coach was approached by a reporter after his team’s recent match and asked directly whether he had spoken with Perez and if he was considering a return to Madrid. Mourinho, 63, offered no reply, walking past the question without a word. His refusal to engage has only fuelled a narrative that a sensational reunion could be in play.

Multiple reports in Spain and Portugal suggest Perez views Mourinho as his preferred candidate to succeed Álvaro Arbeloa at the end of the current campaign. Mourinho is under contract with Benfica until June 2027, and the Lisbon club have made clear they see him as central to their long-term project.

Mourinho himself has sent mixed signals. Recently, he underlined his desire to remain in Lisbon, saying he would like to continue beyond the summer. Yet he also acknowledged a built-in window of uncertainty, noting that when the season ends, there will be a brief period for both sides to decide whether to continue together or part ways.

Inside the Benfica dressing room, there is little appetite for change. Midfielder Richard Ríos, one of the players who has flourished under Mourinho, admitted he is anxious about the Madrid rumours. Speaking to Spanish outlet Diario As, the Colombian international said he hopes his coach stays in Portugal, praising Mourinho’s relentless drive, elite standards and ability to motivate players daily.

Mourinho’s history at Real Madrid remains a powerful part of his appeal. During his three-year spell at the Bernabeu, he delivered a LaLiga title, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercup, while shaping a fiercely competitive side that helped redefine the club’s modern identity. That legacy, combined with his enduring charisma, explains why his name still resonates so strongly in Madrid’s corridors of power.

Back in Portugal, Mourinho has quickly reasserted his influence. Since returning to Benfica after more than two decades abroad, he has overseen an unbeaten league campaign, with the club sitting second in the table and chasing leaders FC Porto. For now, though, the only clear message from Mourinho on Madrid is the one he delivered in person: silence.