History Repeats Itself: Financial obstacle hinders Real Madrid's big announcement

Europe Today at 16:36

Khaled Hegazy

News Editor

Jose Mourinho arrived in Madrid on Tuesday 9 Jun but strict financial rules are delaying Real Madrid's official announcement of their new manager.

The Special One lands in the capital

The Portuguese tactician touched down in Spain fully prepared to take the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu for a second time.

Eager to hit the ground running, Mourinho brought his entire backroom coaching staff along with him. Their immediate goal is to make up for the precious time lost during the club’s recent presidential election cycle.

The technical team is expected to begin their first training sessions at the Valdebebas complex by Wednesday morning.

The financial hold-up explained

Despite his physical presence in the city, the highly anticipated official press release remains on hold.

According to a detailed report from the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the delay is strictly administrative. To secure Mourinho's signature, Real Madrid had to trigger a massive €15 million release clause to free him from his current contract with Benfica.

Strict market regulations

Because Benfica is a publicly traded corporate entity in Portugal, they are legally bound by strict financial transparency laws.

They must officially notify the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) the moment the €15 million transfer fee hits their bank accounts. While the Lisbon club previously informed the market that Real Madrid intended to pay the clause, the final confirmation of receipt is still pending.

Until that bureaucratic step is cleared, Los Blancos cannot formally announce their new manager. To ensure proper protocol, the Spanish giants are also expected to release a preliminary statement confirming the departure of outgoing coach Alvaro Arbeloa before unveiling Mourinho.

A familiar expensive reunion

This administrative waiting game is nothing new for Florentino Perez when dealing with Mourinho's contracts. When Real Madrid first hired the Portuguese manager back in the summer of 2010, they faced an identical financial hurdle.

After Mourinho won the historic treble with Inter Milan, Perez had to negotiate fiercely with Massimo Moratti to pay a record breaking €16 million release clause to free him from his San Siro deal.

Sixteen years later, the Madrid board is once again proving they are willing to pay top dollar, and patiently navigate complex international financial regulations, to secure the man they believe guarantees elite European success.

Related teams and leagues

Real Madrid

Benfica