Benfica announced the sitting of Marco Silva; José Mourinho will return to Real Madrid
Benfica have announced the appointment of Marco Silva as their new head coach as José Mourinho is set to finally return to Real Madrid following Florentino Pérez's presidential election.
Lisbon — SL Benfica has announced the appointment of Marco Silva as the team's new head coach, a move that coincides with the news that José Mourinho's return to Real Madrid is final.
After winning the recent presidential election, Florentino Pérez confirmed that Mourinho will be brought back to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Mourinho previously managed Los Blancos from 2010 to 2013 and claimed a LaLiga title, a Copa del Rey, and a Supercopa de España during that time. He recorded 126 wins from 174 matches (D27 L21) in his first stint in Madrid — a 72.4% win percentage, his highest win rate of any team he led.
Mourinho also led Benfica to an unbeaten Primeira Liga season in 2025-26 after he joined the club in September, although there were 11 draws in 34 games as the team finished in third place behind Porto and Sporting CP.
Mourinho's return to the Spanish capital appears imminent after confirming the departure of Álvaro Arbeloa from Madrid, and Benfica have moved quickly to fill the vacant seat.
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/omnisport/84/28/marco-silva_dugosuxwjtzu1c89bqwr348mn.jpg?t=-1303467682" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>The Lisbon giants confirmed on Tuesday that Marco Silva has signed a two-year contract at the Estadio da Luz, with an option to extend for a further 12 months. Silva recently left Fulham after a five-year stint at Craven Cottage — he led Fulham to the Championship title in 2021-22 and re-promoted the team to the Premier League.
Under Silva, Fulham have finished tenth, thirteenth, 11th and 11th in the top tier in the past four seasons, and they took a club record 54 points in 2024-25. Silva recorded a 38.2% win percentage in the Premier League — the best win rate of any Fulham manager — and is also the manager with the most wins (58) and has managed the most Premier League games for the Cottagers (152, equal with Chris Coleman).
Before his departure to England, Silva also coached Sporting teams (2014-15), where he won the Taça de Portugal, and had spells at Olympiacos, Hull City, Watford, and Everton.
Meanwhile, Fulham's search for Silva's replacement has reportedly focused on Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna, who is said to be their preferred candidate but has an £8 million release clause in his contract.
Silva's move to Benfica and Mourinho's impending return to Real Madrid will open a new chapter at both clubs — one that fans in Portugal and Spain will follow closely.
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