Online Reporter
JOSE MOURINHO is Real Madrid’s preferred candidate to become their next manager, according to reports.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss only joined Benfica in September and he is yet to lose a game in the Portuguese top flight.
But the Special One could be set for a stunning return to the Bernabeu after The Athletic claimed Madrid chief Florentino Perez was targeting him up to replace Alvaro Arbeloa.
Mourinho spent three seasons with the Spanish giants between 2010 and 2013, guiding them to LaLiga and Copa del Rey glory.
Former Liverpool defender Arbeloa has been in charge since Madrid axed Xabi Alonso in January. But Arbeloa has endured a mixed time in charge and Barcelona look likely to pip his side to the LaLiga title.The report says long-serving chief Perez is driving the process for the club’s next boss and is the “main supporter” of Mourinho.
But some figures within the club are against bringing the Special One back to the Spanish capital. Mourinho was a divisive figure at Madrid and left after a trophyless season in 2012-13.But his high profile nature would bring publicity to the club, who have previously re-appointed former managers. They brought Zinedine Zidane back in 2019 after he took a one-year hiatus.
Madrid also re-hired Carlo Ancelotti in 2021, six years after he initially left the Bernabeu.
Mourinho has already faced Madrid three times with Benfica this season and was involved in some controversy.
He was sent off during their Champions League clash in February for protesting a decision not to send off Vinicius Jr.
The Portuguese boss later drew criticism with his comments about Vinicius after he accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racism.
Mourinho appeard to shift the blame to the Brazilian as he said: “When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusebio] in the history of this club was black. This club, the last thing that it is, is racist.
“They [Vinicius Jr and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don’t believe in one or another. I want to be an independent. There is something wrong as it happens in every stadium where Vinicius plays, always something happens…”
Spanish outlet AS later reported that Mourinho’s chances of taking over at the club were slim after his controversial remarks.
Mourinho was asked about a potential return to Madrid before the Vinicius saga and was quick to dismiss the idea.He said: “Can you say no? [to Florentino Perez] Yes. Yes you can.
“I gave everything to Real Madrid, everything that I had, I did good things, I did bad things, but I gave absolutely everything and that’s all. I left 12 years ago and I’ve always had the feeling and the affection is there.
“When [someone] leaves a club with those type of feelings, I think a connection always exists. The fans think highly of me and that is fantastic, but with this I don’t want to feed stories that don’t exist.” -Sun
