Jose Mourinho 'preferred candidate' to become Real Madrid manager with sensational return on the cards

Jack Otway
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:17:01 +0000

Florentino Perez has identified Jose Mourinho as his top choice to take charge of Real Madrid following the anticipated departure of Alvaro Arbeloa at the conclusion of the current campaign.

Arbeloa only took the reins in January after Xabi Alonso was dismissed, yet he too faces the sack once the season concludes.

According to The Athletic, the club president is personally steering the managerial search this time around.

This marks a shift from last summer's appointment of Alonso as Carlo Ancelotti's successor, which was orchestrated by general manager Jose Angel Sanchez with Perez's approval.

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The Spanish giants are heading towards a second successive season without claiming La Liga, the Champions League or the Copa del Rey.

Perez remains the principal advocate for Mourinho's return, though opposition exists among other figures at the Bernabeu.

Reuniting the pair would revive a partnership that delivered three pieces of silverware during the Portuguese manager's tenure from 2010 to 2013.

That spell included the 2011-12 league championship, secured with a record points haul that Madrid have been unable to match since.

The club has now gone two consecutive seasons without lifting the domestic title.

Despite his considerable success in the Spanish capital, Mourinho departed without winning the Champions League for Madrid.

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The 63-year-old has claimed European football's top prize with both Porto and Inter Milan during his distinguished career.

Mourinho's potential comeback carries significant baggage, however.

During his previous stint at the club, the Portuguese coach proved a polarising presence within the squad.

His fractious relationship with goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who captained the side at the time, alienated sections of the fanbase and drew sustained media criticism.

More recently, Mourinho sparked widespread condemnation following a Champions League encounter between Benfica and Madrid in Lisbon on 17 February.

After Vinicius Junior alleged he had been subjected to racial abuse by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, Mourinho implied the Brazilian forward had provoked the incident.

Prestianni denied the accusation and was ultimately handed a six-match ban by UEFA for homophobic rather than racist behaviour.

Mourinho currently manages Benfica, having joined the Portuguese club in September, with his contract running until June 2027.

However, an exit clause worth approximately €3 million exists within the agreement, permitting either party to terminate the arrangement up to 10 days after the final fixture of the season.

Should Madrid pursue the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss, this window would provide a straightforward route to securing his services.