Enrique Riquelme entry ‘to delay’ José Mourinho return, Benfica future uncertain | OneFootball

Enrique Riquelme’s candidacy for the Real Madrid presidency has left José Mourinho’s next move and Benfica’s planning in limbo, with a presentation pencilled in for Monday 25 May no longer going ahead.

According to Record, the 37-year-old businessman’s entry has disrupted Florentino Pérez’s timetable. Had Riquelme not joined the race, the incumbent would have been re-elected on Sunday 24 May, clearing the way to announce the Benfica coach’s return.

Pérez is considered the favourite, but the election process could push any unveiling to after 7 June, when a new president is chosen.

Until then, Mourinho’s future remains on hold, leaving Benfica in a delicate position. With a deadline approaching, the report says he could stay at the Luz without signing a renewal, though the risk of Madrid moving for him after the vote would persist.

That scenario means Rui Costa might hold off appointing a new coach for now, since Mourinho may remain. However, Benfica could still lose him once the election concludes, turning a postponed decision into an unavoidable one.

Source: Glorioso 1904