Benfica coach, José Mourinho, has denied the “soap opera” rumors about a possible return to Real Madrid this summer.
Madrid said goodbye to Xabi Alonso last week after he had been in charge for less than eight months and named Álvaro Arbeloa, coach of the Madrid reserve team, as his replacement.
Asked about speculation in Spain that Madrid are looking to bring him back for the 2026-27 campaign, Mourinho said after Benfica's 2-0 win at Rio Ave on Saturday: “Don't count on me for soap operas. There are a lot of good soap operas, but they last too long.
“Then you miss one or two episodes and you lose count. Count me out, I don't watch soap operas.”
Mourinho, 62, guided Madrid to a LaLiga title and triumphs in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup during his three seasons (2010-13) with the Spanish giants.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United coach took the reins of Benfica in September and has a contract until June 2027.
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Benfica, third in the Primeira Liga, 10 points behind leaders FC Porto, plays Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday before hosting Mourinho's former club Real Madrid on January 28.
