Real Madrid are in active discussions with Jose Mourinho about becoming their next head coach, with agent Jorge Mendes representing the 63-year-old in ongoing talks. Mourinho is president Florentino Perez's preferred candidate to replace interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

Madrid have considered other options, including United States national team manager Mauricio Pochettino, AC Milan's Massimiliano Allegri, Red Bull global soccer chief Jurgen Klopp, and France coach Didier Deschamps. However, no other candidate has advanced to the level of discussion now underway with Mourinho.

Mourinho is currently contracted at Benfica through June 2027, but his deal includes a clause allowing him to depart within 10 days of their season's end for a release fee of approximately $3.5 million. No club-to-club negotiations between Madrid and Benfica have begun at this stage.

Perez is personally driving the coaching search, a contrast to last summer's process that brought Xabi Alonso to the club, which was led by general manager Jose Angel Sanchez. The 79-year-old president is looking to rebuild a project that has deteriorated, with Madrid set to finish a second straight season without a major trophy.

Mourinho previously managed Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de Espana during that tenure. He has been at Benfica since September following his dismissal by Fenerbahce.

Pochettino said in early April he had held no talks with Madrid. Klopp has repeatedly stated publicly and privately that he is content in his current role.