At a glance
- Real Madrid have started talks with Real Madrid as per becoming their next head coach, according to Fabrizio Romano.
- The Portuguese has previously been reported as Florentino Perez’s preferred candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa.
- At present, Mourinho has a contract with Benfica until mid-2027.
Real Madrid have launched their “Jose Mourinho operation” by making direct contracts with the legendary coach’s camp, according to transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian adds that Benfica “want Mou to stay at all costs” yet they’re aware of talks with Real Madrid being ongoing.
“It depends on Madrid. [And it’s] up to Florentino Pérez: he will decide if Mourinho returns or not,” Romano concluded.
Jose Mourinho is Perez’s preferred candidate – but not everyone’s connected to Real Madrid
It has long been reported that Mourinho is Perez’s preferred candidate despite him seeming to have lost his touch in the elite.
That could be because of the Portuguese being viewed as a ruler with an iron fist. Though Los Blancos legend Figo disputes that.
“Mourinho is a friend of mine and I wish everyone the best,” Figo said from a Duracell event. “If his happiness is coaching Madrid, he is welcome. I don’t know if Mourinho has a strong hand. I have had him as a translator, as an assistant coach and as a manager. I don’t think Madrid need a heavy-handed coach.
“I’m not an apologist for the term iron fist. You have to manage 25 egos, you have to understand football and manage egos to be able to convince the players to go in the same direction. At Madrid you need a coach with management skills and common sense,” Figo further explained.
Elsewhere, iconic shotstopper Iker Casillas would prefer fired Xabi Alonso to be reinstated – and that has nothing to do with the World Cup winner’s dispute with Mourinho when he commanded the Bernabeu in the early 2010s.
“I would have liked Xabi Alonso to continue. He had success at Leverkusen, and with the youth he has he is the right one for Real Madrid. If you ask me, I would sign Xabi Alonso again,” the ex-shotstopper said at a Movistar event to preview El Clasico.
In the end, however, it is Perez that will have the final word.
If he wants to land Mourinho, Madrid must pay Benfica €3 million. This must be done no more than 10 days after the Lisbon club’s last game of the season.
