Jose Mourinho is in contention for a sensational return to Real Madrid as the club's next manager, according to reports from David Ornstein. Club president Florentino Perez has reportedly installed the Portuguese coach as his favoured candidate to replace the under-pressure Alvaro Arbeloa, who is expected to be dismissed at the season's end following a trophyless campaign.
This development comes despite widespread speculation linking outgoing Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp with the vacancy. According to Ornstein, while Klopp remains a primary target, Perez is personally driving a push to bring Mourinho back to the Bernabeu, capitalising on the strong relationship that persists from the manager's first spell in charge from 2010 to 2013. The move would require activating a release clause in Mourinho's current contract with Benfica, which is reported to be worth €3 million and becomes active ten days after the Portuguese season concludes.
Mourinho's potential reappointment is said to be facing significant internal opposition from several senior Real Madrid officials. Their concerns are rooted in the 63-year-old's more modest recent achievements in management and his increasingly abrasive public persona, which contrasts with the club's current need for stability. Real Madrid have endured a difficult period, having gone two seasons without silverware despite the high-profile signing of Kylian Mbappe in 2024. A recent 1-1 draw with Real Betis left them 11 points behind Barcelona in La Liga, following an earlier exit from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
Perez's faith in Mourinho stems from their successful past collaboration, where the manager was specifically tasked with challenging Pep Guardiola's dominant Barcelona. Mourinho succeeded, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de Espana, famously setting a league points record of 100 in the 2011-12 title-winning season. His intense rivalry with Guardiola is credited with forcing the Catalan coach to take a sabbatical after leaving Barcelona in 2012.
Beyond Klopp and Mourinho, Perez is also reportedly keen on speaking with other high-profile candidates, including former manager Zinedine Zidane, current France boss Didier Deschamps, and Mauricio Pochettino. Zidane, who led Madrid to three consecutive Champions League crowns, is nonetheless said to be eyeing the France national team role, which could become vacant after the World Cup.
A Mourinho return would not be without its immediate complications. It would prompt an awkward reunion with star forward Vinicius Junior, following comments Mourinho made in February that appeared to justify racist abuse aimed at the Brazilian, for which he later clarified he was "completely opposed to any kind of discrimination." Furthermore, his pragmatic tactical approach could clash with the expectations of Madrid's fanbase and star-studded squad. For Mourinho, the opportunity represents a chance to reclaim a seat at European football's top table after several years away from its very elite, while for Perez, it is a gamble on a proven winner to restore immediate success.
