Speculation about a potential return of José Mourinho as manager of Real Madrid is intensifying. According to a report from *The Athletic*, the struggling Spanish record champions have been holding talks with the 63-year-old’s agent. The driving force behind Real’s efforts to re-sign the Portuguese coach is club president Florentino Pérez.
Per the report, Mourinho has an exit clause in his current contract with Benfica Lisbon, which runs until mid-2027. The clause allows either party to terminate the deal up to ten days after the last match of this season. Consequently, Real would need to pay a compensation fee of around €3 million for the star coach. However, direct negotiations between the two clubs have not yet taken place. Mourinho himself recently denied having had personal talks with Real.
He previously coached Los Blancos from 2010 to 2013 and still maintains a friendly relationship with President Pérez. Spanish media recently reported that the club boss has already made an initial offer to the Portuguese via video call. It is said that Mourinho has set conditions for a return to Madrid, including demanding complete freedom in personnel decisions.
Real Madrid is currently searching for a successor to the unlucky head coach Álvaro Arbeloa, who only took over from Xabi Alonso at the start of the year. Under Arbeloa, the team has suffered a series of sporting setbacks and is likely to finish the season without a title. “All roads at Real Madrid lead to Mourinho,” wrote the Spanish newspaper *Marca*. However, the veteran is not the only candidate, although he is reportedly the clear favorite.
Other managerial candidates at Real Madrid include US national team coach Mauricio Pochettino, who is also highly regarded by Pérez. Jürgen Klopp, on the other hand, has never been a serious option, while Zinédine Zidane is expected to become the next French national team coach, succeeding Didier Deschamps after the World Cup. Deschamps himself could also play a role in Real’s thinking. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is another name mentioned, but his lack of club management experience counts against him.
*The Athletic* also names AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri as a highly respected alternative. It is clear, according to sources, that Real Madrid does not want to wait much longer. “Once a title-less season is officially sealed, the machinery will be set in motion,” *Marca* reports.
Mourinho’s coaching record at Real Madrid across all competitions: 178 games, 127 wins, 28 draws, 23 losses.
