Mourinho set to decide future this week amid Real Madrid talks

Mourinho who is 63 years old guided Benfica to an unbeaten campaign in the Portuguese top flight finishing third in the table and has become the main candidate to take over from Real coach Alvaro Arbeloa according to reports in Spanish and Portuguese media.

Mourinho who claimed a La Liga title and Copa del Rey in his earlier three year stint at Real remains contracted to Benfica until June 2027 and he mentioned that the Portuguese side has already offered him a contract extension.

"My future should be decided this week" Mourinho told reporters on Saturday.

"I have a proposal from Benfica. I do not have a proposal from Real Madrid. At the same time I was saying that to hide that there is nothing we cannot do that there is something but not with me directly.

"I need time I need space I need time to make my decision and this week I think is going to be very important."

Arbeloa speaking ahead of Real's La Liga match with Sevilla praised Mourinho and welcomed the idea of his return to the club where he was in charge from 2010 to 2013.

"For me as one of his players but above all as a Real Madrid fan I feel he's number one and I think he is number one" Arbeloa said on Saturday.

"And I think I felt that way a month ago and I'll continue to feel that Jose has been is and always will be one of us and if he's the one here next season I'll be very happy to see him back home."

Mourinho has previously managed Chelsea Inter Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur and has also lifted the Champions League trophy twice in his career.