Jose Mourinho has been announced as Real Madrid coach until 2029, but he may already have a bone to pick with Florentino Perez.
The 2010 European treble winner has left Benfica for a return to the Bernabeu, one that was expected for well over a month.
Solid reports claimed an agreement back at the start of May, but Perez then announced presidential elections and had to step back from his role to run against Enrique Riquelme.
That put a deal on hold, up until the final days when Perez ran a campaign ad with Mourinho in a club shirt.
Reports in Portugal claimed Mourinho had no knowledge of the advert and that it was created using AI.
Madrid’s Mourinho announcement was AI
Speaking after his departure and Marco Silva’s hire was confirmed, Benfica president Rui Costa gave the Eagles’ version of the controversial moment.
“I believe it surprised not only Benfica, but also Mourinho,” he said.
Asked if he and Mourinho were annoyed by the AI video, he said: “We received a clear explanation of how it had been handled. Internally it was resolved.
“From Jose Mourinho’s side? Of course, obviously.”
Why Benfica offered Mourinho a new deal
More awkwardly, Costa had to answer on why he offered Mourinho a mega contract at the end of the season when it was clear he’d lost him to Madrid.
He responded: “We made it when we felt it was appropriate, and we discussed it.
“Mourinho knew perfectly well that he was the coach I wanted for the next season. He had a contract until the end of the season, and we wouldn’t let him start his final year with only a year left.
“That’s what we did, but Jose Mourinho’s choice was different. Real Madrid came along and took another option.”
Mourinho contract clause explained
Costa then went on to explain a reported clause in Mourinho’s contract that could allow a departure for €3million for 10 days, denying its existence.
“I’ve seen a lot of confusion. That clause applied to Benfica and Mourinho,” he said.
“If Benfica wanted to fire Mourinho, they would have to pay the €7 million, and if Mourinho wanted to leave, the same. This clause is only for these two entities.
“At any time, even within those 10 days, if any club wanted Mourinho, they would always have to pay the €15 million. That agreement was only between the two parties.
“That clause served that purpose, and neither of us expected there to be no continuity. Let it be clear: any club that wanted Mourinho would always have to pay the €15 million. The €7 million would only be for Benfica and Mourinho.”
Costa then answered one of the most important questions, what would’ve happened if Perez hadn’t won the elections?
“He would no longer be Benfica’s coach given all the circumstances, in an agreement reached amicably between the parties,” he explained.
“He would leave at this moment.
“Mourinho never hid from us that there had been an approach from Real Madrid. The rest… It had to follow its own path.
“Just remember Mourinho’s last press conference while in charge of Benfica. He himself, that day, didn’t tell you if he was staying, but he said there was a good chance he would.
“We made a serious offer to Jose Mourinho and we respected that he had made another decision in his career. It’s a closed chapter, he will be Real Madrid’s coach, and ours will be Marco Silva.”
Finally he was asked if he was disappointed with Mourinho, and how their relationship is.
“If I were to become disillusioned, I wouldn’t offer him a renewal,” he said.
“It’s good [our relationship], there’s no point in trying to create speculation. I respect his decision and we already have a coach for next season.”
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