The 63-year-old Portuguese manager was pressed repeatedly by journalists on his intentions ahead of a likely move to Real Madrid as the frontrunner to replace Álvaro Arbeloa, but maintained the position he has held throughout the final weeks of the season — that no conversation about his future will take place until his professional obligations to Benfica are complete.
"The last week of the championship is not for thinking about the future, about contracts. Since we entered this final phase, I decided I did not want to listen to anyone - I wanted to be isolated in my working space."
He set out a precise timeline.
"There is a match against Estoril and from Monday onwards I will already be able to respond to what my future will be as a coach and the future of Benfica. And I stay with that, because I do not want to start next season under suspension. Only one match remains. Only eight days. Be patient — only one week."
He denied any contact with Real Madrid while stopping carefully short of ruling out a departure from Benfica.
"I have not had any contact with Real Madrid, and until the last game of the championship against Estoril, I will not. Then there is a one-week window where I will be free to speak with whoever I think I should speak to."
Mourinho's Benfica contract contains a release clause — understood to be around €3million — that can be activated within a fixed window after the final match of the season. Real Madrid are expected to trigger it once negotiations formally begin. According to AS, Mourinho has already conveyed through his agent Jorge Mendes two non-negotiable conditions — meaningful input into squad structure and full autonomy for his coaching staff.
Benfica drew 2-2 with Braga to leave their Champions League qualification in the balance heading into the final match against Estoril on Friday. Porto have already won the Primeira Liga title.
Mourinho managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España. His return would be the most significant appointment in European football this summer — and he will confirm whether it is happening on Monday the 18th.