As reported by The Athletic, José Mourinho has emerged as the top pick for Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez to take the helm of the team next season.
Journalists David Ornstein and Mario Cortegana from The Athletic reveal that Florentino Pérez is personally overseeing the selection of the next Real Madrid manager. Álvaro Arbeloa, who was appointed in January to replace the dismissed Xabi Alonso, is anticipated to be let go in June after a season that could see Real Madrid finish without a trophy (including LaLiga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey) for the second straight year.
In contrast to the appointment of Alonso, which was managed by general director José Angel Sanchez, Pérez has now taken control of the decision-making process. The president aims to rebuild what he perceives to be a disassembled project and believes Mourinho is the perfect candidate to re-establish competitiveness at the Bernabéu.
The release clause
Mourinho joined Benfica in September 2025 and has a contract valid until June 2027. However, this agreement contains a release clause of approximately €3 million, which can be activated by either party within 10 days after the final official match of this season.
In addition to Mourinho, Real Madrid is also considering the likes of Mauricio Pochettino (currently the USA coach) and Didier Deschamps (France). Jurgen Klopp remains a long-term ambition for the club’s board, even though the German is content in his role as global director of football at Red Bull.
The potential return of the Special One and internal disagreements
A potential return to Madrid would permit Mourinho and Pérez to revive a partnership that produced three trophies between 2010 and 2013, including a LaLiga record of 100 points in the 2011/12 season. Nonetheless, there isn’t unanimous agreement on bringing back the 63-year-old manager.
Club insiders suggest that there are voices opposing his return, citing the divisiveness that the Portuguese coach created during his previous tenure, particularly his well-documented clashes with then-captain Iker Casillas.
Controversy surrounding Vinicius Junior
Mourinho’s current tenure at Benfica has also been overshadowed by controversy. In February, after the Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, he faced significant backlash when Vinicius Junior alleged that he endured racist taunts from Gianluca Prestianni.
Mourinho implied in a post-match statement that the Brazilian forward had provoked the incident, a remark that did not sit well with many in Madrid. Prestianni was later suspended by UEFA for six games, not for racism but for homophobic conduct.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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