The issue is resolved. Mourinho announces his decision to leave Benfica

The Portuguese approaches Jose MourinhoThe “Benfica” coach will head “Real” Madrid from next summer, replacing Alvaro Arbeloa.

According to British newspaper The Athletic, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will hold a crucial meeting with Mourinho next week (starting on Monday) to finalize his return to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Sources familiar with the matter told the British newspaper, who declined to be identified to protect the relationship, that Mourinho had already informed some people at Benfica of his decision to leave.

Sources have clarified that the Portuguese club are aware of ongoing negotiations between Mourinho and Real Madrid and are exploring alternative options to compensate for the possible departure of the “Special One”.

It has been revealed that the list of candidates to replace Mourinho includes Fulham coach Marco Silva and former Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim, and Silva is considered the most likely candidate to replace him.

The Athletic have confirmed that the decision to choose the Merengues’ next coach falls entirely under Perez’s direct leadership, unlike the mechanism behind Xabi Alonso’s appointment at the end of last season, which was led by Real Madrid chief executive Jose Angel Sanchez before Perez approved it.

Real Madrid are in a slump after failing to win a major title for two consecutive seasons. It is the first time this scenario has happened since the 2009-2010 season, the same season that Jose Mourinho was appointed in his first spell in charge at the Royals.