Speaking to the media ahead of Benfica's fixture against Famalicão, the 63-year-old Portuguese coach was unambiguous — but stopped well short of slamming the door.
"No, no one from Real Madrid has spoken to me, I can guarantee that. I've been in football for too many years, just like you have in journalism, and we're used to these things — but nothing from Real Madrid."
On the question of his future beyond this season, he was equally guarded.
"Nothing. I can't say anything more. Regarding Real Madrid, nothing — and regarding Benfica, you already know the situation. I have one year left on my contract with Benfica, and that's all."
Mourinho managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013 and remains a figure Florentino Pérez is said to hold in high regard. With Álvaro Arbeloa under pressure and the club's managerial search intensifying, Mourinho's name has consistently topped the list of candidates alongside Lionel Scaloni, Mauricio Pochettino, and Sebastian Hoeness.
The key detail is the clause. Mourinho's contract runs to 2027, but he can exit for free during a specific window after the Portuguese Primeira Liga concludes on 16 May. He has reportedly set a personal deadline of one week after that date to decide his next move, having submitted a dossier to Benfica president Rui Costa outlining the conditions under which he would stay.
Mourinho's comments on managerial continuity will also have been noted at Bernabéu headquarters.
"The longer a manager stays at a club, the more they take ownership of the team, the more they take ownership of the squad. Managers who come and go find it more difficult to leave their mark."
Benfica, aware of what they stand to lose, are planning to offer Mourinho a contract extension to keep him in Lisbon.