Benfica's New Era
Benfica Appoints Marco Silva as New Coach Following Mourinho's €15M Real Madrid Move
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Key Points
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Benfica formally notified Portugal’s securities regulator (CMVM) of Mourinho’s departure and Silva’s appointment in “two brief communications,” stating that “Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD has informed the CMVM” it reached agreement with Marco Silva on a contract “in force until the end of the 2027/2028 season, extendable until 2028/2029.”
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In its official statement about Mourinho’s Real Madrid move, Benfica quoted the process and terms directly: “Real Madrid CF formalized its intention to hire coach José Mourinho for the amount of €15,000,000, corresponding to the termination clause of his current sports employment contract, and the coach has given his agreement to this hiring,” and added, “Thus ended José Mourinho’s second spell…”
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Mourinho’s final Benfica league run before leaving was strong but ultimately unfulfilled: Benfica finished third and “completed the league campaign unbeaten,” but “fell short” of winning the Primeira Liga title.
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The hiring also highlights Silva’s Portugal track record: born in Lisbon, he returns “11 years after having left,” having driven Estoril from the second tier “to promotion then into Europe,” and was noted for producing the club’s “best results… since the 1940s.”
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Before Benfica, Silva’s Fulham stint was also characterized by standout outputs—one report says the Cottagers recorded “the highest volume of victories and points for the club in the recent history of the national tournament,” reinforcing Benfica’s expectation of stability and results.
Benfica has officially confirmed Marco Silva as head coach, ending José Mourinho's second spell at the club after Real Madrid paid a €15 million buyout clause to secure the Portuguese manager's return to the Bernabéu. PortuGOAL reported that Benfica notified Portugal's securities regulator, the CMVM, of both moves in two brief communications on June 9, 2026.
Silva, 48, returns to Lisbon after five years at Fulham, signing a contract through the 2027–28 season with an option to extend by one more year. Mourinho, meanwhile, heads back to Madrid — a move that cost Real Madrid nearly double what it would have paid weeks earlier.
Real Madrid's €15M 'Procrastination Tax' to Land Mourinho
Real Madrid's decision to wait until after its presidential election made the Mourinho deal far more expensive. A discounted buyout window worth between €3 million and €7 million expired in late May, according to Crypto Briefing. By the time Florentino Pérez won re-election on June 7 with 65% of the vote — defeating challenger Enrique Riquelme — the clause had risen to the full €15 million.
Pérez had made Mourinho's return a centerpiece of his campaign. He told voters, "I am proud that José Mourinho, one of the best coaches in the world, is set to return," according to AP News. Real Madrid also confirmed the departure of interim coach Álvaro Arbeloa on June 10, clearing the way for Mourinho to take charge.
Mourinho Exits with Unbeaten Record but No Title
Mourinho's nine-month stint at Benfica ended on a bittersweet note. His side went unbeaten across the Primeira Liga season — posting 23 wins and 11 draws — but those 11 draws cost them. Benfica finished third with 80 points, eight behind champions FC Porto, missing out on Champions League football entirely, according to beIN SPORTS.
Benfica's official statement confirmed the terms directly: "Real Madrid CF formalized its intention to hire coach José Mourinho for the amount of €15,000,000, corresponding to the termination clause of his current sports employment contract, and the coach has given his agreement to this hiring. Thus ended José Mourinho's second spell." In a farewell message, Mourinho said, "I would like to thank President Rui Costa... representing this club has been an honor."
Silva Returns Home After Landmark Fulham Tenure
Silva left Fulham after Craven Cottage declined to renew his contract beyond June 30, 2026, confirmed The Guardian. During his five years there, he recorded a 38.2% win rate in the Premier League — the highest in the club's history — including a record 54-point tally in the 2024–25 season. English reports noted Silva rejected a Fulham renewal offer that reportedly doubled Benfica's salary offer.
Silva is no stranger to building clubs from scratch. He took Estoril from Portugal's second division to the Europa League between 2012 and 2014, achieving the club's best results since the 1940s, according to PortuGOAL. Now he returns to Lisbon, as the official Benfica statement put it, "11 years after having left."
Benfica Eyes Stability, a Defensive Rebuild, and Academy Prospects
Benfica's board sees Silva as a reset after Mourinho's pragmatic style drew criticism. Analysts at A Bola say the club wants "attractive attacking football" and "continuity in tactical planning" — a contrast to a season in which Benfica drew 11 of its 34 league games. The €15 million received from Real Madrid will be reinvested immediately into a defensive rebuild that Silva specifically requested, according to Record.
Silva is also expected to lean more on Benfica's youth academy, a shift from Mourinho's preference for experienced veterans, according to The Football Faithful. With a contract locked in through 2028 at the latest, Benfica is betting on stability — something the club has lacked since finishing a distant third despite going the whole league unbeaten.
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