Benfica president Rui Costa admits he wanted to keep Jose Mourinho at the Estadio da Luz, but he feels Marco Silva is the "ideal" man to succeed the now-Real Madrid boss.

On Thursday, Madrid confirmed Mourinho's return for a second stint in charge, with the former Chelsea, Inter and Manchester United boss penning a three-year contract.

Mourinho previously led Los Blancos between 2010 and 2013, winning 126 of his 174 games at the helm (D27 L21) and claiming one LaLiga title, one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa de Espana. His 72.4% win percentage with Madrid is his highest at any club.

Mourinho led Benfica to an unbeaten Primeira Liga season after taking charge last September, but that was not enough for the Lisbon giants to win a record-extending 39th title as they finished third, behind Porto and Sporting CP.

At a press conference on Thursday, former Portugal international Costa explained that Mourinho was offered a new contract by Benfica, who did not want to go into 2026-27 with their head coach having less than 12 years to run on his deal.

"We made the proposal, and at the time we wanted to do it," Costa said. "We talked over time and Mourinho knew perfectly well he was the coach I wanted for next season. 

"He had a contract with Benfica and we understood that, at the end of the season, we would renew that contract. We wouldn't let him start his last year being one year away from the end of his contract. 

"Jose's choice was different. Real Madrid appeared in the middle, and he took another option."

Benfica confirmed Silva as Mourinho's successor earlier this week, after he brought his five-year stay at Fulham to an end at the conclusion of 2025-26.

After winning the Championship title under Silva in 2021-22, Fulham finished 10th, 13th, 11th and 11th in the top tier across the past four seasons, achieving their Premier League record points tally of 54 in 2024-25.

His 38.2% win percentage in the Premier League is the best of any Fulham boss, while he has also won the most matches (58) and managed the joint-most matches for the Cottagers in the competition (152 – level with Chris Coleman).

Asked what he expected Silva to bring to Benfica, Costa said: "I expect what everyone expects when you sign for a club of this size, that he can bring the titles we aspire to. 

"He is the ideal coach at the moment for Benfica, his experience in England gives us hope.

"I am very satisfied with the choice and with an ambitious coach who we hope will bring us what we want."