José Mourinho has held initial discussions with Real Madrid officials regarding a potential return to the Spanish capital, according to reports in the Italian publication Sport. The conversation, described as a half-hour video call, represents the first direct contact between the club’s leadership and the Portuguese manager as Real Madrid seek a figure to restore stability after a disappointing season.
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning a La Liga title and a Copa del Rey during his tenure. He has most recently been managing Benfica, though his future with the Portuguese club remains uncertain. The club finished third in the Primeira Liga and were eliminated from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
During the call with president Florentino Perez, Mourinho reportedly outlined five key conditions for taking the job. These stipulations cover the length of his contract, the structure of the medical staff, and his desired level of autonomy within the club. Mourinho is seeking a minimum of a two-year contract, mirroring the terms of his previous deal at the Santiago Bernabéu, a request that Perez is reportedly open to considering, having previously offered similar terms to Xabi Alonso.
Mourinho also expressed a desire to solely focus on coaching duties, rejecting any requirement to act as the club’s spokesperson, a role previously filled by Carlo Ancelotti and currently undertaken by Arbeloa. He wants to avoid the controversies that arose when he commented on non-sporting matters during his previous spell. The manager also requested complete independence from the club’s directors, wanting to control the dressing room while Perez manages the overall club operations.
Further demands include greater player involvement in medical decisions, potentially seeking second opinions when requested, and direct communication with the medical team. However, the most significant obstacle appears to be Mourinho’s request to remove Antonio Pintus, the club’s highly-regarded Italian fitness coach. Mourinho reportedly views Pintus as too close to Perez and fears information leaks, desiring a direct line of communication with the president. Perez, however, considers Pintus a trusted advisor, making his dismissal a major sticking point in negotiations. A resolution to these conditions will determine whether Mourinho returns to Madrid for the upcoming season.
