Benfica already begin search for replacement as Mourinho to Real Madrid gathers steam | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho is slowly but surely taking over as the prime candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa at Real Madrid next summer.

The club have not made any final decision yet and are still in the early stages of their hunt. However, word has it that they already see two ‘finalist’ candidates and Mourinho is one of them.

Moreover, it is said that there will be no problem in reaching an agreement with the Portuguese manager by June, making it all the more likely that he will be the next first-team manager.

Lookout for replacements

Mourinho’s current managerial contract at Benfica runs until the summer of 2027,  but the manager can leave this summer without facing any sanction or penalty.

With talks of his departure taking the fore, Benfica are already looking out for potential replacements as reported by Record (h/t AS).

Benfica already looking for a replacement. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

They are aware of the likely outcome of the situation and are preparing themselves for the summer.

Marco Silva has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Mourinho in June should he leave for Real Madrid, and the very fact that Benfica are preparing for a new managerial recruitment is a statement in itself.

The coming weeks will be crucial in deciding if the former Real Madrid manager is indeed the chosen one. If one is to deduce a likely conclusion given the current state of affairs and rumours, however, he is a serious frontrunner.

One factor that works against him, however, is the racist debacle that took place when Real Madrid and Benfica locked horns earlier this season and how his public stance did not go down well with the Real Madrid dressing room.

Beyond that, however, he is an apt profile in terms of experience and success and can confidently command respect from the dressing room.