Benfica coach Jose Mourinho has once again postponed talks over his future, amid widespread speculation that he could be the next Real Madrid coach.
Mourinho admitted on Friday, ahead of Benfica’s final match of the season against Estoril, that he had yet to respond to the Eagles’ contract renewal offer.
The Portuguese has one year left on his contract at the Estadio da Luz, and president Rui Costa is said to be looking to extend the deal. However, Mourinho told Diario AS that he had not yet seen an offer on the table.
“Yes, on Wednesday I received an offer to renew my contract from Benfica. The offer was delivered to my agent, but I didn’t want to see it, be informed about it or analyse it. I will only do this starting from Sunday, I would say Sunday,” Mourinho declared.
Meanwhile, on Thursday evening, star Kylian Mbappe publicly questioned coach Alvaro Arbeloa. The latter said Mbappe had “misunderstood” his comments, adding that the Frenchman’s claims were not true.
“It hurts me. Because, as you rightly say, he is a friend. One of those who gave everything for me when I was his player, and now that he is coach of Real Madrid, that bond remains,” Mourinho said.
“Of course, the fact that he is also a coach motivates me even more when things go well. But that’s the life of a coach.”
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“I often joke with my former players who become coaches, telling them: ‘Wait a couple of years and you’ll see how many grey hairs you’ll have.'”
“Then they realize that being a player is easier than being a coach. I’m happy with what he’s achieved so far.”
According to general belief, Mourinho is in advanced negotiations with Real Madrid to take over the team in place of Arbeloa, although the Madrid team still has two matches to play until the end of this season.
